“I was struggling to eat” – Bob MacIntyre reveals brutal pressure of Players Championship chase

Robert MacIntyre admitted the pressure of chasing victory at The Players Championship left him struggling to even eat on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass.

The 29-year-old Scot briefly put himself firmly in the hunt to become just the second player from Scotland to win the PGA Tour’s flagship event, following Sandy Lyle’s triumph in 1987.

But despite getting within two shots of the lead late in his final round, costly mistakes ultimately ended his bid as he finished solo fourth at 10-under par — three behind winner Cameron Young at The Players Championship.

MacIntyre closed with a 69 but admitted the intensity of the moment began to hit him as he turned for home while still in contention.

“It was stressful. I was actually struggling to eat early in the back nine,” MacIntyre told reporters afterwards.

The World No.9 felt he had a genuine opportunity to produce something special for Scottish golf, particularly with the historic milestone of matching Lyle’s achievement within reach.

“It's where I want to compete,” he said. “Last year was a big wake-up call for me that I can compete at the top end of world golf. I had a chance today to do something very special — Sandy was the last one from our country to do it.”

At one stage midway through the back nine, MacIntyre believed he had a real shot at the title.

“The way I'm playing, driving it beautifully, putting unbelievable, it was just a matter of getting the ball inside 30 feet and then look out,” he said. “I really thought I was in with a shout.”

However, momentum slipped away with bogeys at the 14th and 16th holes, either side of a birdie on the 15th.

The pivotal moment came at the par-5 16th when MacIntyre found water with his third shot after a difficult lie from the rough.

“I was between clubs,” he explained. “I couldn't get there in two. I tried to hit a hard 7-wood in there because a 3-wood would come in too hot. I was wanting to draw it, but in the back of my mind I was thinking maybe I should just lay it up.”

Instead, his ball settled in a particularly awkward patch of thick rough.

“I got the worst lie I could possibly get all week — in a little valley where the mowers couldn't get to it and the grass was six or seven inches long.”

The mistake effectively ended his title hopes.

MacIntyre also revealed he briefly considered taking on the flag at the notorious island green on the 17th hole, but his caddie, Mike Burrow, urged restraint.

“I wanted to go straight at the pin on 17 and just throw the dice,” MacIntyre said. “But the caddie said we still play aggressive but smart.”

Despite the disappointment, the Scot acknowledged the bigger picture after another strong showing on the PGA Tour.

“It's a sore one right now,” he admitted. “But overall it's a good week. I wouldn't have wanted to walk off with a bogey on 16, a double on 17 and probably another bogey on 18 with my head gone.”

MacIntyre’s solo fourth-place finish marked his best result of the 2026 season and earned him $1.225 million, another sign of his growing presence among the game’s elite.