'I’ll Never Stop Trying To Get To The Top' - Robert MacIntyre Targets World No.1 Spot
In a wide ranging exclusive with Golf Monthly, Robert MacIntyre spoke about battling homesickness on the PGA Tour, his Major hopes for 2025 and not backing down from his goal of becoming World No.1

There's no doubting Robert MacIntyre's desire to be the best he can be - as he's aiming for the very top of the sport and is bang up for the seemingly impossible task of catching World No.1 Scottie Scheffler.
The Scottish left-hander features in the latest edition of Golf Monthly and gave us an insight into his life on the PGA Tour and well-documented struggles with homesickness as well as his Major targets for 2025.
It was a career-defining year for MacIntyre in 2024 as he won the Canadian Open on the PGA Tour and also his home Scottish Open - the tournament the man from Oban wanted above all else.
MacIntyre is not one to shy away from setting lofty goals though, and although Scheffler has been untouchable of late, getting to World No.1 is very much among those targets.
After initially struggling to feel comfortable on the big stage, MacIntyre now finds playing against the likes of Scheffler and Rory McIlroy is second nature to him.
MacIntyre has also played against Scheffler since his junior golf days, and although having such familiarity won't help catch such a brilliant player, he's still not afraid to have top spot as a goal.
"Well, it would help if Scottie took a few months off," MacIntyre says in the latest Golf Monthly. "Rather than just the few weeks he missed because of that weird incident when he cut his hand on some broken glass at Christmas!
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"Scottie is a great golfer, and he has set the bar at an incredibly high level. The rest of us have to try to find a way of matching that, because I can’t see him slipping back any time soon."
Robert MacIntyre won the Canadian Open before adding the Scottish Open
MacIntyre believes he still has a lot of improvement in his game he can make to try and catch the likes of Scheffler, and is not going to back down from his goal of getting to the top.
"World No.1 I think has to be everyone’s goal. Who wants to be second best, at anything? We’re competitors, and we want to be winners. If you don't have that mindset, that ambition, you’re in the wrong job.
"You have to play incredible golf and I’ve got some way to go. But as I said, I’ve got a lot more improvement in me, and I’ll never stop trying to get to the top."
MacIntyre's Major focus for 2025
What would seriously help with pursuing World No.1 would be bagging a Major, and winning one of golf's biggest prizes is another thing at the top of MacIntyre's priorities for 2025.
Along with Augusta, where MacIntyre has finished T12 and T23, his best Major finish is the T6 he achieved in his debut at The Open at Royal Portrush - which again hosts the tournament in 2025.
"Massively excited to be going back to Augusta after not playing there the last two years," MacIntyre added. "It’s paradise on earth, and I think I’ve shown my game is a pretty good fit for the Masters. I’ll be disappointed if I don’t play well there again.
"And Portrush - everyone loves Portrush. I felt incredibly calm and composed playing my first Major there, and that is another course where I think I can make a big impact. But the truth is so much depends on getting a good draw at the Open.
"If there is a smelly side to the weather, and you get caught in that half, the harsh truth is however well you play, you are likely to struggle. So fingers crossed I get a good draw, and play the golf I’m capable of."
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
- David FaceyContributing Writer
-
PGA Tour Issues ‘Constructive’ Update After White House Meeting With President Trump And Yasir Al-Rumayyan
The PGA Tour has released a statement, describing talks at the White House on the reunification of the men's game as "constructive"
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tiger Woods Joins US President Donald Trump For Black History Month Reception At White House
The 15-time Major winner was at the White House reception following further talks between the PGA Tour and the President on the future of the men's elite game
By Mike Hall Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Believes Masters Win Is 'Just A Matter Of Time'
The two-time Major winner feels victory at Augusta National is around the corner as he hunts the career Grand Slam - DeChambeau's ultimate ambition
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Exclusive: Lydia Ko On Quitting Thoughts, Grand Slam Bid & Retirement Plans
Lydia Ko thought about hanging her clubs up in 2024 before her stunning turnaround - and now tells Golf Monthly she's eyeing the career Grand Slam before retiring
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Success Can Be A Double-Edged Sword' - The 'Naturally Cautious' PGA Tour Player Aiming To Navigate The Volatile World Of Raised Expectations
Aaron Rai claimed his first PGA Tour title at the Wyndham Championship and is sat comfortably inside the world's top-50 - but the Englishman is refusing to get carried away ahead of 2025...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Are The PGA Tour's Signature Events Good Or Bad For The Game?
Two Golf Monthly writers debate whether the PGA Tour's Signature Events have been a welcome addition to the sport or merely a rich-get-richer scheme
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Rory Is The Best Player Of My/Our Generation’ - Billy Horschel
Billy Horschel has told Golf Monthly why the man he beat at the BMW PGA Championship, four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, is the best player of his generation
By Mike Hall Published
-
'It Is Surely Vital That The LIV Ban Is Resolved For Next Time'
Jeremy Ellwood discusses whether the Presidents Cup should be scrapped after 12 US wins from 14 editions
By Jeremy Ellwood Published
-
'I Want To Prove That I'm Still A Great Player' - LIV Golfer Cameron Smith Sets Sights On More Major Titles
The 2022 Open champion has told Golf Monthly he still has plenty to prove in the game, and more success in the Majors is one of the ways he can achieve it
By Mike Hall Published
-
'It's Kind Of Nice To Be Able To Come Out To An Event And Wear Something That No One Else Is Wearing' - Jason Day Exclusive On His Malbon Golf Apparel That Got The Golf World Talking In 2024
The Australian has spoken about his clothing deal with the company known for its unconventional styles
By Mike Hall Published