The Oban star heads into the 152nd Open Championship on the back of a stunning Genesis Scottish Open title and 16th in the world

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Bob MacIntyre got the official note of approval from Jack Nicklaus

It proved conclusively he’s been doing it right all along. The Oban star’s magical ascent in the game continues heading into the 152nd Open Championship after a breathtaking win at the Genesis Scottish Open. MacIntyre is now a global player. He’s 16th in the world. And his ability to make big decisions at big times is proving pivotal.

Moving to the United States at the end of last year was a gamble. In truth, it’s been a self-confessed struggle and he’ll give it up soon. It was never going to be easy, but there was a reason for it. The dividends from going for it are now evident and opening more doors for him to keep charting his own path. When MacIntyre won the Canadian Open for a first-ever PGA Tour success at the beginning of last month, it came at the end of a stretch of events and it was taking a toll.

With a massive summer schedule including the Genesis Scottish Open and The Open looming, he needed to take a break. MacIntyre’s decision to withdraw from Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village sparked an outcry, mainly in the United States.

The 27-year-old was caned by some for lack of ambition, but he knew what he was doing. Importantly, so did the Golden Bear. When MacIntyre sent a note to Nicklaus explaining his decision to sit out, perhaps even he couldn’t have expected the reply.

Nickalus backed him all the way. When the Oban ace drilled home his putt to fulfil a lifetime dream and win that Scottish Open to catapult himself up the world rankings, it was clear who the wise men were.

MacIntyre said: “Obviously I got quite a bit of heat for not playing it, but he would have done the same as me, so he said. It was a lovely letter to have and from such a great guy and, hopefully next year, I can be there to challenge.”

It was typical of MacIntyre’s decision making. It’s bold. Not all choices go to plan. He opted to go to play for a PGA Tour card and it potentially cost him a place in the Ryder Cup side for Whistling Straits in 2021.

It was an aggressive approach, much like his golf. But it’s that sort of front-foot thought process that is soaring him up the levels.

MacIntyre doesn’t take a backward step. He’s decisive when he’s placed in the heat of a situation on the course and not scared to make moves off it. He has changed coaches, he has changed caddies. At the Renaissance, he spoke of making the alterations to keep the progression.

Bob MacIntyre lifts Scottish Open trophy

Manager Iain Stoddart outlined the depth of thinking that goes on as he said: “Everything is calculated. Nothing that is done is on a whim. After Canada, that was six weeks on the trot. Memorial would have been seven. US Open eight and the Travelers nine.

“It does not look like too bad a decision now, does it not? But this isn’t just about one thing, this is about everything that is done. When decisions are taken, every factor is taken into account and all of the pros and cons are weighed up.

“If it comes down on the side of making a big call, then we make a big call. It is as simple as that. Let’s be honest, it doesn’t always turn out to be correct.

“The final decision always lies with Bob. Our job is to sit there and present the facts to him. Then the matters are discussed with him and he pushes the button, no-one else.

“It is the same way as only one guy hits the shots. Bob plays the brilliant shots, not me or anyone else. Like I said, you can get them wrong. Things are only right when they come off and they don’t all do. Bob is not scared to make big calls, not scared to do something if he thinks it is right. The thing I keep going back to is that nothing is done on that whim. It is calculated, it is thought out, there’s rationale for everything, as you would expect.”

With a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a place in the 2025 Masters secured, he’s third in the Race To Dubai and in line for the Tour Championship at East Lake. Spots in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship are also in the bag.

Open champ Brian Harman, defending at Troon, gave an indication of the fight in MacIntyre as he recounted conversations from earlier in the year. Harman said: “I can’t imagine how hard that is to uproot and go somewhere else and then base out of there.

“He certainly had a tough go of it as far as adjusting, but he’s played fantastic. Obviously his game speaks for itself. He’s doing great. At the end of the struggle is usually something really cool. So I think he’s doing fantastic.”