Ryder Cup star confesses to binging on takeaways before historic Dunhill Links victory

Robert MacIntyre has run out of ways to celebrate after winning the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship a week on from helping Team Europe to a second successive Ryder Cup success. The 29-year-old from Oban has become the first Scotsman in two decades to win the prestigious event.

MacIntyre, who earned one and a half points from three matches at Bethpage Black last week, sealed his triumph at St. Andrews with a brilliant 66 to reach 18 under par for the tournament. Runner-up spot went to Tyrrell Hatton, the hero who sank the winning putt against the United States the previous Sunday, who finished four strokes adrift after carding seven under on the final day.

MacIntyre's triumph means he has emulated Colin Montgomerie, the previous Scotsman to claim this prize back in 2005, whilst securing his fourth DP World Tour title. After celebrating through the night with his European colleagues, MacIntyre admitted he was unsure how to surpass those wild scenes.

"It's brilliant, but I don't know how I'm going to celebrate after the celebrations we had last Sunday... but we'll try our best," he said. "It's a beautiful end to a good week.

"I've done everything against the book this week. I only pitched up here on Wednesday and had 12 holes...the diet has not been good this week, and I've eaten plenty of takeaways, fish and chips and plenty of others, but sometimes when you least expect it, things happen."

MacIntyre, who captured the Scottish Open in 2024, posted identical 66s at Kingsbarns and Carnoustie before completing his hat-trick with another six-under performance at the legendary Old Course at St. Andrews. The aftermath of Storm Amy led to Saturday's play being cancelled, resulting in a shortened 54-hole finish.

He made his intentions clear from the start with an early birdie on the first hole and was four under at the halfway point. His iron play was flawless, and his putting was steady as he maintained his momentum.

That was highlighted by a precise approach from the rough on the 13th hole, showing he had no intention of relinquishing his lead. Despite a lone bogey on the 17th and a missed birdie putt on the 18th, he had already done enough to secure victory.