Report: How Augusta National dealt with Robert MacIntyre after rude gesture at The Masters

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre has been reprimanded by Augusta National after he directed a middle finger at the 15th green during an ill-tempered opening round at the 2026 Masters, according to a report. 

The 29-year-old European Ryder Cup star entered the first men 's major of the year as a trendy pick to contend for the green jacket. 

MacIntyre finished runner-up at last year's U.S. Open at Oakmont, fourth at the recent Players Championship and was second again at last week's Valero Texas Open. 

But the Oban man plunged down the leaderboard on Thursday with an eight-over 80. 

MacIntyre stuck his middle finger up towards the 15th hole after recording a disastrous quadruple-bogey nine on the par-five. 

The Scot stuck his approach into the water and, after taking a penalty drop, found the pond again. 

MacIntyre then flew his ball over the green again en route to the quad and directed his anger towards the green, flipping his middle finger. 

Last night, it was suggested MacIntyre was likely to face disciplinary action by the green jackets of Augusta National.

Masters organisers are known for their strict rules where nobody is above the law. 

Former Open champion, Mark Calcavecchia, was turfed out of Augusta on Tuesday after being caught using his mobile phone. 

The Scotsman's Martin Dempster reported on Friday during MacIntyre's second round that the golfer was not fined for the gesture but reminded of their code of conduct. 

It means that for the second straight year a competitor's behaviour had to be addressed. 

Last April, young Spanish rookie Josele Ballester urinated into Rae's Creek during his opening round in full view of patrons. 

Ballester, a LIV Golf recruit and teammate of former Masters champion Sergio Garcia, then made matters worse by admitting he did not feel embarrassed about his actions and would do it again. 

Hours later, Ballester publicly apologised, taking full responsibility for his actions. 

As for MacIntyre, it wasn't the only incident that caught viewers' attention. 

Hot mics also picked up the Scot dropping an F-bomb after a wayward tee shot at the iconic par-three 12th. 

MacIntyre also reacted angrily after another loose shot from the 17th fairway, slamming his club into the ground. 

His Ryder Cup teammate, Tyrrell Hatton, also made a gesture that some could interpret as offensive. 

MacIntyre, who was 15 shots off the lead after the opening round, is yet to address the issue. 

But he also told the aforementioned Dempster earlier in the week that he is unlikely to change his behaviour. 

"I know I am volatile and I know the bad language and stuff, but that's just me," he told the paper.