Robert MacIntyre's Roller Coaster Ride at BMW Championship

Owing Mills, USA (August 18, AP): Robert MacIntyre found himself in the scoring room at the U.S. Open two months ago, applauding J.J. Spaun's unforgettable putt at Oakmont. Fast forward to this Sunday's BMW Championship, and there was Scottie Scheffler sinking a dramatic chip to seize control. MacIntyre was still in the game then, but the title that had been slipping from his grasp all day was nearly out of reach.

"When he pitched it in on 17 and then hit the perfect tee shot on 18, it was essentially game over," MacIntyre commented.

MacIntyre had been on the losing side of two of 2025's most talked-about shots in golf. Sunday's outing at Caves Valley, however, was partly of his own making. After a dazzling opening-round 62, his subsequent performances dwindled, concluding with a 73 — resulting in a two-stroke loss to Scheffler.

His four-shot lead at the start of the final round evaporated in just five holes, as he bogeyed three times.

"I got off to a horrific start," admitted MacIntyre. "I anticipated jumpers on (Nos.) 1 and 2. On No. 1, it stopped short of the green due to a mud ball. That made the chip difficult. I felt confident heading out and didn't expect to be over par at all.

"I was genuinely expecting to maintain my performance from the previous days." Yet that expectation went unfulfilled. After Scheffler birdied No. 11, gaining a two-stroke lead, a fan provocatively taunted MacIntyre as he approached the 12th hole, saying the crowd backed Scheffler and declaring, "You ain't ready!"

MacIntyre simply stared back and later refrained from commenting on the crowd's behavior. Although most fans were respectful, the few who weren’t did catch his attention. Competing in his home country, with the Ryder Cup looming in September, meant Scheffler had significant local support—and possibly some personal stakes from the audience keen on the world No. 1.

MacIntyre's frustration surfaced audibly when his tee shot found a bunker on No. 14. Yet, a birdie on the par-5 16th brought him within one stroke. Then, Scheffler executed a sensational 82-foot chip for birdie on the par-3 17th.

The crowd erupted in chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" and even briefly cheered for MacIntyre as he attempted a chip from the rough. He could have stayed a stroke behind heading to the 18th but settled for par when he failed to replicate Scheffler's brilliance.

MacIntyre concluded a frustrating day with a less-than-eventful final hole.

"Honestly, I just want to smash my golf clubs right now," he confessed.

His disappointment was palpable after missing long on a few par 3s on the back nine, resulting in a bogey.

"The golf ball was going miles today, and I'm not sure why," he said. "I need to figure that out. Even when I got my game somewhat together, I went long on the par 3s. I felt I'd hit solid shots, but they just traveled miles."

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