Robert MacIntyre and dad Dougie will write another chapter in their remarkable father-son golfing story when they tee it up as a team at this week's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The man known to all as Bob credits his father as the person who "really taught me how to play the game golf" and at this event 11 years ago, Dougie caddied for his then amateur 17-year-old son as he finished fifth in the team event alongside Eduardo de la Riva.
Since then Robert has turned professional, graduated from the European Challenge Tour, been crowned Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year, won on both the DP World and PGA Tours, become a Rolex Series winner and played on a victorious Ryder Cup team.
His maiden PGA TOUR win at the RBC Canadian Open also came with Dougie on the bag and as the two prepare to be team-mates over the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns, Robert is left to reflect how they have come full circle.
"He’s the reason I play the way I play," he said. "If you watch the two of us swing, obviously I've made some changes to my golf swing but it's very, very similar and he’s the guy that’s really taught me how to play the game golf and it's just going to be special.
"This was the first professional event I played and obviously I was the amateur playing with the pro and he caddied for me. It's just little things like that that make this week more special.
"It was the first time I realised that I could play professional golf. That my golf game was somewhat suited to professional golf, the way I played, the ball flight, and that's when I realised that I think I can do it. This week is a special occasion, playing with my dad but also coming back here.
"Obviously winning in Canada with him on the bag, it's going to be a memory that’s just hard to beat.
"I just think when you actually move back from the game of golf and go back to Oban and why I do certain things, it’s to see family and obviously my family will come down later in the week, it's going to be cool. It's going to be nice."
Dougie, who is course manager at Glencruitten Golf Club near Oban, plays off "five or six" according to Robert and while MacIntyre Jr expects some first-tee nerves from his dad, he wants him to enjoy his experience.
"We played ten holes on the Old Course and he was absolutely brilliant," he said. "First tee he was still a little bit nervy but after that he was back to himself.
"I think he's going to enjoy it more inside the ropes than outside the ropes watching to be honest with you. He's got something to take his mind off watching me hit some stupid shots. No, he's nervous when he gets on the first tee, but I still feel that. Hopefully he feels that and then just kicks on."
Robert's best result at this event as an individual professional is a tie for 20th but he is hopeful he can go better this year after maybe cracking the code of the Old Course.
"I’ve never played the Old Course that well until the Monday last year," he said. "I find it just seems to become a putting competition. In that round, I took a more aggressive route off the tee to try and create a better angle into pins.
"It’s always special. It's a golf course I’ve had a love/hate relationship with over the years but the town of St Andrews is one of the most special places you can come. The whole place is so special."
