"It was uncomfortable" - Robert MacIntyre recalls the first time he crossed paths with Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is undoubtedly a legend in golf. Over his long, illustrious career, he has amassed millions of fans, including professional golfers. Scottish golfer Robert MacIntyre is one of them.
He met Woods for the first time at the 2022 Masters. However, his first interaction with the legend left him feeling a little embarrassed. He narrated the incident to Martin Dempster of The Scotsman ahead of the 2024 Hero World Challenge hosted by Woods (via Golf Digest).
"That day at Augusta, I hit it in the trees at the 11th and said to Mike (Thomson), who was my caddie at the time, 'I am going to take a couple of swipes at this’ and he said 'you can’t as you can’t move that ball,'. I said to him 'Tiger is on the tee behind me, I can’t go back to it (laughing)'. But I went back and, yes, it was uncomfortable!"
"I’m just going to have to put on my big boy pants" - Robert MacIntyre
Although Robert MacIntyre had an embarrassing first meeting with Tiger Woods, he is sure to cross his path at the Woods-hosted Hero World Challenge this year.
Woods is still recovering from his back surgery. This is his sixth back surgery so far. The US golfer was out of competition for most of the season. He announced that he is pulling out of the Hero World Challenge in November. Despite not being in the field, the 15-time major champion will be present in Albany to fulfil his hosting duties.
MacIntyre was all praise for Woods as he said (via Golf Digest):
"I mean, Tiger changed the game. For me, he is the best I have seen and he was freakishly good at the game. It is unbelievable to be here and it is unbelievable to have a guy like that hosting this event."
He further talked about the prospect of meeting him at the tournament this week.
"I am obviously going to meet him at some stage this week and I’m just going to have to put on my big boy pants (laughing)."
MacIntyre secured his first PGA Tour win this season at the RBC Canadian Open. The 28-year-old sealed his second victory at the Genesis Scottish Open. After Round 1 of the Hero World Challenge, he is placed T8 with a score of 4-under.