Bob MacIntyre hits back at claims he ‘lacks ambition’ ahead of US Open

• Scots golfer chose to take a week off and return home to Oban ‘to party’ after winning his maiden PGA Tour event at last week’s Canadian Open
• Some critics felt he was showing a lack of respect by opting out of the lucrative Memorial Tournament in Ohio, hosted by golf legend Jack Nicklaus 
• MacIntyre insists that he needed a break after a hectic run of events and that returning home was just what he needed ahead of US Open bid later this month 

BOB MacINTYRE has rubbished suggestions he has shown a lack of ambition by pulling out of this week’s prestigious Memorial Tournament on the PGA Tour.

In what was a late change to his schedule, the Scot opted to head home to spend time with family and friends in Oban after winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Canadian Open on Sunday.

It means he will now miss this week’s Memorial at Muirfield Village in Ohio, the event founded and hosted by golfing icon Jack Nicklaus.

Some critics have claimed MacIntyre has shown a lack of ambition by pulling out of one of the most prestigious and lucrative events on tour.

Others have even suggested that it represents a lack of respect towards Nicklaus — but the 27-year-old insists nothing could be further from the truth.

‘With everything that was going on, there was no disrespect at all for pulling out this week,’ said MacIntyre, who had his dad, Dougie, caddying last week as he claimed the biggest win of his career thus far.

‘There was no disrespect for Jack Nicklaus’ event. This decision was all about doing what’s right for me.

‘I had my dad on the bag last week. I had a lot going on. Me and my team around me felt like it was right to pull back and have a week off this week. Yes, I get it’s an elevated event with a lot of prize money. But it could have been any event.

‘I’m trying to prepare as best I can for the US Open. Does that not show ambition? I’ll let you decide on that.’

Had he not won in Canada, MacIntyre would have been in US Open qualifying earlier this week, prior to playing in the Memorial.

If he had qualified successfully for Pinehurst, he would then have taken the following week off in the Travelers Championship.

But the win in Canada changed everything — and forced him to a swift rethink in what was already a hectic run of tournaments.

MacIntyre has spoken openly this season about struggling with homesickness as he has tried to adapt to life in America and his base in Orlando.

Hitting back at his critics and defending the decision, the Scot continued: ‘I miscounted my tournaments that I had played when I was doing the press conference last week. That was actually week six.

‘It’s been a good six weeks. Obviously I had two top-tens running into that, I had the chance at Myrtle Beach.

‘The mental aspect of that six-week stretch was high. Then winning last week was an even bigger high. I had a lot going on.

‘Even the fifth week in a row at Colonial I thought might have been a step too far after having a chance at Myrtle Beach and an outside chance at the PGA.

‘If I then played the Memorial, US Open, and Travelers, that would be nine weeks in a row.

‘Not many players would play nine weeks in a row, except probably me, the madman. Ultimately, I need to do what’s right for me and prepare for the US Open next week.

‘For me, it was just getting home to the people that really matter. I just done something pretty special. I just wanted to get home and spend time with the people that really matter in life.

‘Yes, I play golf at the highest level. Yes, I’ve won a golf tournament. That means so much to me and everyone around me.

‘But let’s just get home and spend it with the people that really matter in life.

‘It can be lonely out here at times and that’s something I’ve been really honest about since I made the move over. I just felt it was right to go home this week.’