Popular professional Robert MacIntyre is hoping to get back into the winner’s circle in 2026 after failing to achieve a PGA Tour victory last year. He came close on Sunday, with a furious attack on the Sony Open title.
But according to MacIntyre, it was a costly putter snap and a bad “attitude” that left him leaving Hawaii without a trophy in his luggage.
Robert MacIntyre’s Sunday attack falls short at the Sony Open
MacIntyre made his career breakthrough in 2024, when he claimed his first two PGA Tour victories at the RBC Canadian Open and the Genesis Scottish Open, the latter of which was particularly emotional for the Scottish pro.
Although he did not earn a third Tour victory in 2025, he did have two second-place finishes, including at the 2025 US Open. He also claimed his fourth career DP World Tour victory and played on his second victorious European Ryder Cup team.
As a result, he started the 2026 season ranked No. 7 in the Official world golf rankings. And thanks to a scintillating final round on Sunday, MacIntyre almost ended his PGA Tour winless drought in his first start of the year.
Early in the final round of the Sony Open on Sunday, seven shots back, MacIntyre turned in birdie after birdie as he steadily climbed the leaderboard. With a birdie on the final he completed a seven-under 63, the lowest round of the day.
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Chris Gotterup almost matched MacIntyre’s score and walked away with the win at 16 under, relegating MacIntyre to a T4 finish.
But in his post-round interviewMacIntyre revealed the true villain that cost him a chance at victory: his putter snap on Friday.
Robert MacIntyre explains how putter snap cost him dearly at Sony Open
“It was honestly a great round of golf. After about 12 holes I felt like I should have been nine under par,” MacIntyre said of his final round.
He continued: “Basically, rolling the putter is….”
Then he stopped and interrupted his own thoughts as a smile appeared on his face. Then came a recording.
MacIntyre revealed that in a moment of anger during Friday’s second round, he broke his putter. The immediate result was a costly bogey on the next hole.
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“I don’t know if it’s right to say, but I broke my putter on 17 Friday afternoon and missed a 10-footer on 18 Friday afternoon. So that cost me an opportunity,” MacIntyre explained.
He went on to argue that it was his bad “attitude” that led to the putter snap, and that it not only cost him an opportunity, but ultimately “cost me this golf tournament.”
“It’s a big, big reminder to me that the attitude has to be right for 72 holes, not just 36 holes. Because my attitude ultimately cost me this golf tournament,” MacIntyre said, “and I can’t let that happen.”
In other words, one or two great rounds won’t get you a win on the PGA Tour; you need to put in consistent effort throughout the tournament to have any chance.
“You have to be in the right position at the right time to complete a round like today,” said MacIntyre, concluding his thoughts: “So I’m a little disappointed overall, but a great round of golf.”
It’s not all bad news for Bobby Mac. His T4 finish at the Sony Open improved his world ranking to No. 6. It also earned him a check for $409,500.
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