PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 20, 2021

Robert MacIntyre

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We are joined by Robert MacIntyre. Robert opened with a 3-over par 75 today. Robert, talk about what you saw out on this golf course. I think this is your first time here this week, how your game stacked up at least here on Thursday.

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Yeah, I mean, disappointed with the score. I felt like I played as good as I really could have, I just didn't hole many putts. You get days like that, but no, there's a lot of confidence to take from it. I didn't miss many fairways. I think it was two fairways missed. A lot of confidence.

Q. It's been quite a process in the last two months. You've played in Augusta, your first major, then you found out you were going to play here. How have you prepared since then until now, and were you ready for these kind of conditions?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Yes, I took I think it was three weeks off after Hilton Head. I needed a break. I had spent eight weeks over here, and I had eaten a little bit too much food in that time, so I needed time to kind of work out and get myself back to normal.

But no, I just chilled out for three weeks. Seen plenty of family, friends, and yeah, just prepared -- went to the Belfry last week, European Tour. Obviously contended there. Disappointed to come out of there without a win, and I came here with confidence. I'm still as confident as I was at the start of the week. I'm playing great, I just need a couple of things to change.

Q. You mentioned your driving there; you drove the ball really well. Was that the most pleasing part of today?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Yeah, it is. I've struggled on the practice days with the wind, but Mike was spot on with the wind direction. I like to shape the ball, so the aim points was completely different if it was slightly down out of the right or slightly down out of the left. I drove it as good as I could have driven the ball. I think it was two fairways missed. I mean, downwind it was going for miles, and into the wind it was in full control.

Q. Where does that course stand in terms of tough tests you've had in your career over in the States?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Definitely top two. There's just no let-off. If you miss it, you're in trouble. I hit one bad shot on 18 and I got punished big time. But it's golf, and I get to get battered again tomorrow.

Q. What time did the alarm go off this morning?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: I think it was 4:45.

Q. I guess it was a bit tough out there. Are you feeling a bit mentally drained or physically drained or a bit of both?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Not at all. I took it easy the last couple of days. I said I was going to go out there and go play in the morning, but I turned the alarm off and just slept in. I knew recovery was huge for me coming over from back home, so I needed time to prepare. We knew it was going to be windy, we just had to get on with it.

Q. You only missed two fairways. What will you work on this afternoon do you think?

ROBERT MACINTYRE: Sleeping. There's nothing getting work done this afternoon. It's blowing over 20 miles an hour. Best place for me is in the apartment.