Bob MacIntyre braced for big year - what lies in store in 2026 for Scotland's No 1 golfer

It’s been a brilliant last two years for MacIntyre, who landed a dream double on the PGA Tour in the RBC Canadian Open and Genesis Scottish Open in 2024 before winning again on home soil on the DP World Tour in 2025 in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. Oh, and let’s not forget about being part of two winning Ryder Cup teams in Rome and New York.

As he prepares to get his 2026 campaign underway, we look at what’s in store for the Scottish No 1 this year.

Where is Bob MacIntyre in world rankings at the start of 2026?

The left-hander sits seventh in the global standings behind Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley and J.J. Spaun. MacIntyre was 76th before his RBC Canadian Open victory then jumped to 16th on the back of winning the Genesis Scottish Open. He ended 2024 sitting 14th before breaking into the top ten for the first time after finishing second in the BMW Championship last August.

Where is Bob MacIntyre starting his 2026 season?

The 29-year-old is getting his campaign underway next week in Hawaii as he lines up in the PGA Tour’s Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. It will be his third straight appearance in the event, having tied for 52nd in his first outing as a full PGA Tour card holder in 2024 before ending up joint-53rd last year. He will then head to California for next week’s The American Express at La Quinta, where the field is also set to include world No 1 Scottie Scheffler.

Why is Bob MacIntyre not playing in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in 2026?

Having played in the Rolex Series event at Emirates Golf Club every year since 2020 apart from two years ago, when he was starting out on the PGA Tour, it will have been a difficult decision to miss out on joining Ryder Cup team-mates Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry in the field on this occasion. He’s clearly keen, though, to get some FedEx Cup points up on the board as early as possible in his bid to improve on finishing joint-17th behind Fleetwood in that title battle last year.

Where is Bob MacIntyre playing in 2026 majors?

His first crack at winning a major this year will be in The Masters on 9-12 April and he will be more determined than ever to give a good account of himself at Augusta National after missing the cut last year. It will then be the first competitive visits for him to Aronimink, Shinnecock Hills and Royal Birkdale for the PGA Championship (14-17 May), US Open (18-21 June) and The Open (16-19 July) respectively.

When will Bob MacIntyre be playing on DP World Tour in 2026?

Though he played in the Porsche Singapore Classic in March last season, that event is not on the DP World Tour schedule this year. Which means that it seems likely that a first DP World Tour outing will be in the Genesis Scottish Open, with the Rolex Series event being held for the eighth year in a row at the East Lothian venue on 9-12 July.

What is Bob MacIntyre’s No 1 goal in 2026?

Winning a major is his top priority and, having come close when finishing second behind J.J. Spaun in last year’s US Open at Oakmont, he definitely believes that is a realistic target. “I know that I can win one of these,” he declared at the end of the 2025 major campaign. "If the cards had fallen my way, I'd have won the US Open. It makes me really think I can win a major. It's a reality, not just a dream."

When will Bob MacIntyre be playing on Scottish soil in 2026?

As mentioned, the 2024 winner will be leading home challenge once again in the Genesis Scottish Open while he is almost certain to defend his title in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, having followed in the footsteps of Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher and Colin Montgomerie by landing a Scottish success in the DP World Tour event and doing so straight after the Ryder Cup.

Who is caddying for Bob MacIntyre in 2026?

Mike Burrow, who started working for him on a full-time basis just before the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open, will be his closest on-course ally once again this year. The Englishman is a good golfer himself - the Newcastle United Golf Club member won the Scottish Mid-Amateur Championship at Southerness last year - and is often called on by MacIntyre to read tricky putts.

Who is sponsoring Bob MacIntyre in 2026?

The Scot will be proudly sporting the iconic Nike ‘Swoosh’ logo on his clothing and shoes as one of the company’s ambassadors. As was the case last year, his bag will carry the logos of Discovery Land Company, a US-based real estate developer and operator of private residential communities and resorts that is currently refurbishing Taymouth Castle in Perthshire, historic Elijah Craig bourbon whiskey and gar giant Arnold Clark.

When will 2027 Ryder Cup qualifying start for Bob MacIntyre?

Having qualified automatically for the last two matches and finishing second behind Rory McIlroy on the points list for the 2025 edition in New York, MacIntyre will be determined to keep that run going for the next clash with the Americans at Adare Manor in County Limerick. Though still to be determined by whoever is the European captain, It’s likely that the points battle will start once again, as it did for the 2025 encounter, at the beginning of the DP World Tour’s ‘Back 9’ in the British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry on 27-30 August and conclude 12 months later. MacIntyre will be aiming to pick up the majority of his points through the majors and PGA Tour Signature Events.