Robert MacIntyre hopes a new technique where he grades his attitude for every shot will prove invaluable as he returns to DP World Tour action this week at the ISPS HANDA – CHAMPIONSHIP.
After a five-week competitive break, the Scot is adopting a new method to help maximise his performance as he targets a third Tour title.
He registered his best finish of the 2023 season on his last start in Kenya – a tie for seventh – suggesting a return to his best is not far away but is always searching to further his game.
“I’m trying not to worry as much,” he said.
“There are little things we are doing within my team to battle the outcome. It’s just about committing to what you are doing and not worrying about it. Just commit to every shot and hope it’s good.
"It's a grading system on how my attitude and temperament was each shot and on each hole." @robert1lefty's new strategy on keeping calm out on the golf course 👊#ISPSHandaChampionship pic.twitter.com/XnocvR5Xr2
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 18, 2023
“This will be the first week of doing something slightly different during tournament rounds. I’ll let you know how it is going by the results. I’m sure you’ll be able to see how the attitude is on the golf course.
“It’s not easy at all to put it into play but you have to try.
“It’s just a grading of how my attitude and temperature is with each shot, each hole, because I get hot and it carries on to the next hole and it causes me serious problems in a round of golf. Just trying to cut out the mental mistakes.”
Since the start of the new year, MacIntyre has appeared in seven events in a busy three-month stretch – including the inaugural Hero Cup where he earned three points from a possible four for Great Britain & Ireland.
The 26-year-old is now looking to kick on with the first of back-to-back appearances in Asia, with the Korea Championship Presented by Genesis to follow next week ahead of the defence of his DS Automobiles Italian Open title.
“Kenya was probably the best I had been tee-to-green for a couple of years,” he said.
“The putter wasn’t quite there but we have done some good work over the break on that. Hopefully it shows this week.
“It’s about building momentum, confidence. Last year I felt that I wasn’t playing great, changed coaches, started playing well but wasn’t getting the results and I started doubting.
“I feel like I’ve been playing well, have taken a break, hopefully come back refreshed and ready to go.”
Japan becomes the 51st different country to host a DP World Tour event this week, with PGM Ishioka Golf Club hosting the action in an event co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
And MacIntyre is delighted to be involved as the Tour breaks new ground.
“It’s massive to be playing all across the world, it’s so important to grow the game, have guys from all across the world competing against each other,” he reflected.
“Japan, look at the players they have had over the years. It’s great to be here to compete.”
MacIntyre has openly spoken about his desire to make his Ryder Cup debut for Europe at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in September, and he was delighted by the recent successes in the United States for Jon Rahm and Matt Fitzpatrick.
“It’s brilliant for the DP World Tour, for European golf as a whole,” he said.
“It shows the strength of European golf. I know Matt more than Jon, but it’s great to see two good guys winning.
“These guys would have been dead certs for the Ryder Cup team at the start of qualification.
“It’s great for them to get wins early on and they’ll be hoping to carry that on. These guys are among the best in the world for a reason.”
