Robert MacIntyre says he is starting to see “light at the end of the tunnel” before his Canadian Open title defence, after a mixed 2025 so far.
The 28-year-old Scot has earned three top-10 finishes on his second year on the PGA Tour, but at times has struggled with his putting and approach play.
However, he says his form is picking up after finishing tied for sixth at the Charles Schwab Challenge and tied 20th at the Memorial Tournament in recent weeks.
“The last two weeks have been pretty good for me,” MacIntyre said.
“Starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not been kind of easy sailing for me this year.
“It’s been a little bit of trying to fix certain things. But now I feel like we’re on the right path and the game’s starting to kind of merge together.
“Tee to green, I’ve been really good. Chipping has not been the best. Not that I’ve got a problem, it’s just I’m chipping on grainy greens that I’m not used to.
“Putting, I’ve been struggling, but since I changed putting coaches at Pebble Beach, my putting is now coming back to where I want it to be.
“My game is in a great spot again and I’m looking forward to what ahead.”
Robert MacIntyre’s Canadian Open Title Defense: Can He Overcome Early Season Struggles? An Expert Weighs In
Keywords: Robert MacIntyre, Canadian Open, PGA Tour, golf, putting, approach play, 2025 season, title defence, golf analysis
Time.news: Welcome back to Time.news. Robert MacIntyre, the defending champion, is gearing up for the Canadian Open amidst a mixed bag of results this year.He’s expressed optimism about his game, suggesting he’s finally seeing “light at the end of the tunnel.” To unpack MacIntyre’s performance and potential for a prosperous title defence, we’re joined by renowned golf analyst, Jillian Sterling. Jillian, thanks for being here.
Jillian Sterling: thanks for having me.
Time.news: Jillian, MacIntyre acknowledges a challenging 2025 season, despite some top-10 finishes. The article highlights struggles with putting and approach play. How notable are these weaknesses in the context of his overall game and his chances at the canadian Open?
Jillian Sterling: They are absolutely crucial. On the PGA Tour, consistency is king. MacIntyre possesses unbelievable raw talent, undoubtedly. Those top-10 finishes prove that. Though, consistently strong putting and accurate approach play are the cornerstones of any successful golfer, especially when contending for a title.Struggles in those areas can quickly derail even the most talented players. Think of it like this: you can drive for show,but you putt for dough. At the Canadian Open, against a field of hungry competitors, any persistent weakness will be exploited.
Time.news: The article mentions MacIntyre changing putting coaches at Pebble Beach and experiencing improvement since then. How impactful can a coaching change be mid-season, and what specific benefits might he be seeing?
Jillian Sterling: A mid-season coaching change is a bold move, but if it’s the right fit, it can be transformative.It suggests MacIntyre recognized a basic issue and took decisive action. The benefits are multifaceted. A new coach brings a fresh perspective, identifying flaws that might have been overlooked. They can also inject confidence simply by providing a renewed sense of direction and strategies. The specific benefits are hard to quantify without being privy to their sessions, but it could involve adjustments to his putting stroke, green reading techniques, or even a mental strategy shift to reduce pressure. The fact that his putting is “coming back to where I want it to be” as he says, indicates the change is yielding positive results.
Time.news: MacIntyre mentioned being “really good” tee to green but struggling with chipping, attributing it to unfamiliar “grainy greens.” Could this be a significant hurdle at the Canadian Open specifically,and what adjustments can golfers make in those circumstances?
jillian Sterling: Grainy greens present a unique challenge. the “grain” refers to the direction the grass blades grow, affecting how the ball rolls. If the Canadian Open course features prominently grainy greens, it absolutely adds another layer of complexity, mostly around calculating break. Golfers accustomed to faster, less grainy surfaces will need to adapt quickly. Adjustments include reading the grain direction carefully, understanding that putts struck with the grain will roll faster and break less, while those against the grain will be slower and break more. Practice rounds become vital for assessing the grain and practicing chip shots into those conditions. He’s right in identifying there’s not necessarily a problem, but it’s more of a condition, that needs a new approach for him.
Time.news: So, to bring it all together, what are the key things MacIntyre needs to focus on to successfully defend his Canadian Open title, as highlighted by the information here? What advice would you give him?
jillian Sterling: Based on what he is saying, MacIntyre needs to solidify the gains he’s made with his new putting coach. Continued confidence on and around the greens is absolutely essential. Secondly, he needs to commit practice time to mastering those grainy greens. Dialing in his chipping will save crucial shots. And maintain the strong tee-to-green play that he relies on. my advice to him, specifically, would be to trust the process! You’ve identified weaknesses, you’re addressing them, and you have a proven track record of success.Embrace the challenge, enjoy the atmosphere, and let your natural talent shine.
Time.news: Jillian Sterling, thank you for your insightful analysis. We’ll be watching closely to see how Robert MacIntyre performs at the Canadian Open. Good luck to all the players!
