MacIntyre Fumes Over Drone Distractions at Dunhill Links
Robert MacIntyre, the defending champion at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, has launched a scathing criticism of TV drones, blaming them for disrupting his concentration and leading to poor shots during the opening round at Carnoustie on Thursday. The Scottish golfer, a two-time PGA Tour winner, was visibly frustrated as drones buzzed overhead, prompting him to step away from multiple shots. He later told BBC Sport that the noise was akin to “a revving of a car” and that the devices “drive me insane.”
MacIntyre’s anger boiled over after he carded a one-under-par 71. He explained that on the 8th hole, he had already asked the drone operator twice to move the device further away. “I step off the shot, not fully committed because I’m just thinking about the drone, and then, yeah, I hit a bad shot,” he said. Later, on the 18th green, he stepped off his putt due to another drone. The frustration was so intense that he admitted, “If it didn’t go away, I was going to start throwing my clubs at it.”
A DP World Tour rules official spoke with MacIntyre after the round to hear his side of the story. “I was just asking him what’s going on because they’ve obviously heard me swear a few times straight at the camera guy,” MacIntyre said. He noted that the windy conditions at Carnoustie exacerbated the problem, as drones struggled to hold their position, creating erratic noise. “So when they’re too close in these conditions I struggle with it,” he added.
A Strong Second Round Despite the Distractions
Despite the opening-round turmoil, MacIntyre demonstrated his resilience in the second round at Kingsbarns, taking advantage of calm conditions to shoot a bogey-free 65. His seven-under-par round vaulted him into contention, leaving him in a tie for ninth place, just three strokes behind halfway leader Casey Jarvis of South Africa. MacIntyre reeled off four birdies on the front nine and responded to a bogey on the 11th with four gains over the next five holes. “I was cleaning up the holes where I felt like you need to clean up, just kept it simple,” he told BBC Scotland. “We got really lucky with the weather, the last hole was the only one we had with the wind blowing up.”
MacIntyre’s performance at Kingsbarns, one of the three courses hosting the event, kept him within striking distance of the leaders. England’s Matthew Jordan and Spain’s Rocco Repetto Taylor also sit on 10 under, with Repetto Taylor’s 64 at Kingsbarns the best round of the day. American Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, shot a 67 to join the Scottish pair on eight under. The tournament, played at St. Andrews, Carnoustie, and Kingsbarns, continues to draw top talent, including Ryder Cup stars and LIV golfers making rare DP World Tour appearances, such as Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
The Growing Conflict Between Technology and Tradition
MacIntyre’s outburst highlights a broader tension in professional golf: the increasing use of broadcast technology, particularly drones, which offer dramatic aerial views and up-close coverage at a fraction of the cost of traditional blimps. While fans benefit from enhanced production value, players argue that the devices can be a significant distraction, especially in windy conditions. Drones have become commonplace at DP World Tour and PGA Tour events, but their proximity to players has raised questions about whether their use should be regulated more strictly.
This is not the first time MacIntyre has voiced his displeasure with drones. He has had run-ins with them before, and his latest comments suggest that the issue is far from resolved. “We’ll see what the tournament director’s got to say,” MacIntyre remarked, indicating that he expects officials to address the matter. The DP World Tour has yet to issue a formal response, but the incident could prompt a review of drone protocols at tournaments.
What This Means for the Game
MacIntyre’s frustration underscores a delicate balance between innovation and tradition in golf. As technology continues to encroach on the sport, players and organizers must navigate the fine line between enhancing the viewer experience and preserving the concentration required for elite performance. The incident also raises questions about player welfare and the potential for distractions to impact competitive outcomes.
For MacIntyre, the focus now shifts to the weekend at St. Andrews, where he hopes to defend his title. “Just keep doing what I’m doing, shooting at pins, trusting the instincts,” he said. Whether the drones will continue to haunt him remains to be seen, but his vocal criticism has sparked a conversation that extends beyond the fairways.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on MacIntyre and the skies above. The outcome could influence how broadcasters and tours deploy drones in the future, potentially leading to stricter guidelines or technological adjustments to minimize disruption. For now, MacIntyre’s message is clear: the buzz is more than a minor annoyance—it’s a threat to the integrity of the game.
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