'My game was in a dark place - I wasn't enjoying it'

Robert MacIntyre's stellar 2024 means he can plan his schedule next season already

Robert MacIntyre has admitted his golf was "in a dark place" earlier this year before he turned it around and played himself into the top 20 of the world rankings.

MacIntyre played the majority of the year competing on the PGA Tour in America after earning his card 12 months ago thanks to his performances on the DP World Tour.

The 28-year-old said making some adjustments within his team was one of the keys to the turnaround in his fortunes.

"It wasn't a dark place personally - I was in a dark place with my game," he told BBC Sport Scotland.

"When I stepped on the golf course I wasn't enjoying it. I learned from a couple of things and changed some things within my team.

"So far so good. It's about me trying to enjoy myself out on the course and not being too hard on myself. I'm just trying to hit as many good shots as I can."

MacIntyre says it was an education leaving his Oban home and moving to Florida, where he was based for the first six months of the year.

However the world number 16 announced earlier this summer that he will be based back in Oban in 2025, a year he will tackle with increased confidence.

"I learned a lot this year. I enjoy the competitive side and the golf side of it [in America] - but what I did learn was that my golf game can hold up anywhere in the world," he added.

"It's difficult out there. The standard is very high and you are trying to become one of the best players in the world. You have to compete against the best and that's what I’m doing."

MacIntyre's year turned around in dramatic style at the end of May when he lifted the Canadian Open with his father Dougie caddying for him after flying in at the last minute.

After that came a stunning home win at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian, when he became the first Scotsman to win the Scottish Open since Colin Montgomerie in 1999.

The left-hander says reflections on his success will come when he takes time off at the end of the season.

"I've not done much recap on anything this year. It's been one week after another. If I have a week off I don't think about much. I just go home and spend it with the people that really matter," MacIntyre said.

"I am looking forward to a four-week stretch when I get off. Then with everyone around me I will sit down with the whole team and build on what's been a big year.

"I got the one I wanted this season - the Scottish Open has always been a dream of mine and I managed to get it."

MacIntyre has already qualified for all four of the majors in 2025 as well as eight signature events on the PGA Tour that come with huge prize funds of about £15m.

He will also have his eyes on a place in the European Ryder Cup team that will attempt to retain the trophy he helped regain in Rome in 2023.

The Scotsman - whose next tournament will be the Dunhill Links over Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews Old Course next month - is delighted his world ranking means he can shape his 2025 schedule as he wants.

"It looks busy but it looks like I can very much control my schedule," he said.

"For the first time really in my career I can schedule all the biggest events in the world. I can pick and choose where we go and when we go and choose how we prepare. It's looking far better than it was last year."