Bob MacIntyre takes drastic action to be fit for PGA Tour finale with millions at stake

Scottish golfer Bob MacIntyre is taking extraordinary measures to ensure he is fit for the PGA Tour’s season finale this weekend, with millions of dollars at stake. After being forced to withdraw from the BMW Championship last week due to a lower back injury, MacIntyre is determined to be ready for the FedEx Cup at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

The world No. 15 pulled out of the BMW Championship during the third round, visibly struggling with pain. His chances of participating in the final tournament of the season are uncertain, but MacIntyre is doing everything possible to get back on the course. To aid his recovery, he has arranged for Stuart Barton, a specialist physio from Fife, Scotland, to fly to the United States. Barton, who has worked with MacIntyre through previous injuries, will be by his side throughout the week in an effort to get him in the best possible shape.

Despite the likelihood of playing in pain, MacIntyre is motivated to compete for the FedEx Cup’s enormous prize purse of £18.91 million ($25 million). The 28-year-old golfer has had a breakout year in 2024, securing his first-ever tour win at the RBC Canadian Open and following it up with a victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, a particularly special win on his home turf. These achievements have catapulted him to a career-high world ranking of 15, having started the year at No. 56. His strong performance at the PGA Championship further boosted his ranking.

If MacIntyre is able to participate in the FedEx Cup, he will join his 2025 Ryder Cup teammates, including Ludvig Aberg, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Viktor Hovland, Tommy Fleetwood, and Sepp Straka. The tournament will see Scottie Scheffler starting with a two-shot lead, positioning him as the strong favorite after an outstanding 2024 season.

MacIntyre’s management team provided an update on his injury, stating that the problem arose just minutes before his tee time in the third round of the BMW Championship. “Sadly, we have to announce that Robert MacIntyre has withdrawn from the BMW Championship with a niggling back injury incurred in the last five minutes before his tee time in Round 3,” they said. The team further explained, “Two drives before he teed off on Saturday, it went pop. He gave it nine holes and a physio walked with him, but he couldn’t carry on.”

As MacIntyre works to overcome his injury, fans and fellow golfers alike will be hoping to see him on the course in Atlanta, competing for one of golf’s most prestigious titles.