Robert MacIntyre explains worst decision of his golf career: "Can I come back?"

Robert MacIntyre has revealed he went grovelling back to his golf coach with his tail between his legs after he made the rash decision to sack him in 2023. 

MacIntyre opened up on the situation ahead of this week's Genesis Scottish Open.

The Scot, 28, is the defending champion this week and is among a stacked field at The Renaissance Club which features eight of the top 10 in the world rankings. 

Over the last two years the golfer has comfortably established himself as a top 20 player in the OWGR, won his first PGA Tour title and almost won his first major championship. 

America's JJ Spaun pipped the Oban man to the US Open title at Oakmont in June by draining a 68-foot putt for birdie on the last hole to break his heart. 

He also made his Ryder Cup debut in Rome two years ago but that may not have happened had he not reunited with his golf coach Simon Shanks after a split that lasted two weeks. 

MacIntyre was asked in his pre-tournament news conference on Wednesday whether he had made any rash decisions in his career. 

Other than losing his temper on the golf course, MacIntyre could not think of many. 

Apart from the time he decided to part ways with Shanks. 

"I remember Simon saying, 'I think you're firing the wrong man. It was [the phone connection] was breaking up while we were saying and he thought I didn't hear it."

He added: "And I phoned him two week later with my tail between my legs saying, 'Simon, you're right. Can I come back?' 

"And here we are still working together. That was a rash decision. But in the long-term stuff, no."

It's the biggest golf tournament for me outside the majors

MacIntyre said he hasn't tired yet of watching his winning putt from 12 months ago. 

Victory was that much sweeter considering Rory McIlroy made an all-time birdie on the 72nd hole to snatch Scotland's national open 12 months prior. 

MacIntyre will be playing the first two rounds of the Scottish Open alongside World No.1 Scottie Scheffler and last year's runner-up Adam Scott. 

He is clear about what he wants to achieve this week. 

"Again, I'm coming here to win the Scottish Open," he said. "It's the biggest golf tournament outside of the major championships for me.

"I want to keep this trophy every year until I stop playing. I hope if I don't win it, a Scottish player wins it. It's just a special, special golf tournament with an unbelievable field."