Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre ballin’ at PGA Tour alternate occasion

Robert MacIntyre, who starred for the European Ryder Cup crew this previous fall, lastly seems snug on the PGA Tour.

MacIntyre referred to as the tour a “lonely place” earlier this week, including that the camaraderie seen on the European-based DP World Tour dwarfs that of the PGA Tour.

However primarily based on his play up to now on the Myrtle Seashore Traditional, no one would have identified that MacIntyre felt that means.

“I feel it’s been actually good. I feel it’s troublesome to again up an excellent spherical [like I had on Thursday],” MacIntyre defined.

“Felt like I did that basically effectively. The entrance 9 I used to be completely just about flawless golf. Missed just a few possibilities. However whenever you hold giving your self a number of possibilities, you’re going to take some. Total an excellent spherical at the moment and an excellent one [Thursday].”

The Scotsman opened with a 7-under 64 and adopted that up with a 4-under 67 Friday. He additionally leads the sector in whole strokes gained, thanks partially to a putter that has caught fireplace.

Picture by Sam Greenwood/Getty Photos

When MacIntyre walked off the course after his spherical, the left-hander held sole possession of the lead at 11-under par—an unfamiliar place for him.

But, unfamiliarity has been the theme for MacIntyre’s expertise of enjoying in the USA.

“I’m from a small city on the west coast of Scotland. Lots of people by no means go away Oban. They go on holidays and stuff, however they’re born there, they work there, they finally die there. My entire household and buddies are there. They’re most likely at all times going to be there,” MacIntyre defined.

“It’s simply troublesome after I come over right here, my girlfriend and I. We’re making an attempt to make it our residence, and it’s troublesome whenever you’ve not obtained that household connection. We’re giving it our greatest shot, nevertheless it’s utterly completely different from residence life.”

MacIntyre went on to clarify how he and his girlfriend have rented a house within the Orlando space, and he makes use of the “unimaginable” amenities at Isleworth Golf Membership to get his apply in.

However he nonetheless feels an vacancy inside him.

“I believed that transferring to the U.S. was the one means of reaching my goals in golf,” MacIntyre added.

“I don’t know if that’s the reply. I really feel like a contented Bob MacIntyre is a harmful Bob MacIntyre on the golf course, and residential life makes me glad. That’s why I’m most likely going to go residence after the following couple of occasions. I’ll go residence to Scotland quite than go to Orlando.”

Picture by Octavio Passos/Getty Photos

Final yr, MacIntyre regarded his finest whereas enjoying on residence turf, nearly successful the Genesis Scottish Open. MacIntyre would have emerged because the hometown winner if Rory McIlroy had not birdied the ultimate two holes.

Since then, he gained 2.5 out of three attainable factors on the Ryder Cup and has recorded 4 top-10 finishes, which features a tie for sixth at this yr’s Mexico Open—his finest end of the season. MacIntyre has performed effectively, regardless of him feeling lonely and homesick.

However the Scotsman believes that he made a straightforward determination to play on the PGA Tour.

“It wasn’t a troublesome determination. The World Rating factors, the monetary achieve and the apply amenities, it may solely profit me if I play good golf,” MacIntyre added.

“I can return to European Tour anytime I need. I’ve clearly obtained that grace interval with the ten playing cards that we’ve obtained this yr, and I’ve clearly obtained one within the again pocket from enjoying Ryder Cup. I’m snug. I’m simply making an attempt to turn out to be among the best gamers on the earth. I don’t know what restrict I’ve obtained in golf. I don’t know the place my restrict is. I’m simply making an attempt my finest daily to simply accept what rating I get and work tougher.”

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Be sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.