MacIntyre could face action after angry Masters gesture

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre may be subject to penalties following a controversial hand signal at the Masters. The 29-year-old golfer directed a middle finger at the 15th green after a quadruple bogey on the par-five hole, which pushed him down the leaderboard. His score of eight-over-par 80 marked a significant drop in form, ending his hopes of contention in the tournament.

During his round, MacIntyre vented frustration on the 17th hole by slamming his club into the ground after a poorly executed second shot. Earlier, he had cursed following a slightly off-target tee shot on the par-three 12th and again after a missed putt on the par-five 13th. Despite these moments, he managed to record pars on both holes, showing resilience amid the setbacks.

The Masters is renowned for its rigorous standards, and MacIntyre’s actions could lead to disciplinary measures. The player had previously positioned himself as a title contender after finishing fourth at the Players Championship. However, he fell short in the Texas Open, where he led after the third round but was overtaken by JJ Spaun to finish as runner-up.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy and American Sam Burns posted five-under-par 67s in the opening round, taking the lead at the Masters. MacIntyre’s recent performance highlights the pressure he faces, with his outbursts potentially complicating his bid for success in the tournament.