Robert MacIntyre is a rising star and popular among golf fans worldwide. He may not be as popular among Augusta National officials, though, after a rash of poor behavior on the course during the opening round.
On Thursday, cameras caught MacIntyre making an obscene gesture while playing his first round. The Masters maintains strict standards for behavior at Augusta, both for players and non-players (as one major champion found out Tuesday). That meant MacIntyre was risking disciplinary action.
Acccording to a report from The Scotsman, MacIntyre was reprimanded by the club for actions on Thursday during the Masters.
Augusta National did not immediately respond to GOLF.com’s inquiry about the report but customarily does not comment on club matters.
Here’s what you need to know.
Robert MacIntyre flips off Augusta hole, reportedly ‘reprimanded’
MacIntyre is a two-time PGA Tour champion and currently ranked No. 8 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
In 2024, he endeared himself to golf fans by opening up about his struggles adjusting to life in United States after moving there from Scotland to pursue his pro career.
Shortly thereafter, MacIntyre captured his first PGA Tour victory at the RBC Canadian Open. He wasn’t done. The next month, MacIntyre returned home for the Genesis Scottish Open and put together an emotional win.
This ‘lewd’ Masters gesture was regrettable but also forgivable
On Thursday, MacIntyre’s 2026 Masters campaign got off to a rough start. He made to early bogeys, then capped off the first nine with a double bogey at the 9th hole.
Things got worse on the back nine, and MacIntyre began to lose his cool. Then at the par-5 15th, disaster struck.
He went for the green in 2 but, as many players did on Thursday, he came up short and his ball went into the water. After making a penalty drop, he tried to reach the putting surface again. He did, but his ball then rolled back into the pond.
His third attempt went over the green but was dry. Eventually, MacIntyre signed for a tournament-killing quadruple-bogey 9.
After one of his water shots at 15, MacIntyre was caught throwing a middle finger up toward the direction of the green. That’s a big no-no at Augusta National.
He was also seen slamming his club on his way to making a bogey two holes later at 17, and overheard swearing on multiple occasions. In the end, MacIntyre walked off the course with an eight-over 80 on Day 1.
Behavior like MacIntyre displayed on Thursday sometimes leads to disciplinary action by Masters tournament officials, but The Scotsman reported that MacIntye only was “reprimanded” by the club following his round.
MacIntyre teed off early on Friday for his second round, and promptly made double bogey at the 1st to drop to 10 over with the Masters cut looming.
