MacIntyre calls for Carnoustie and Muirfield to return as regular Open hosts

Robert MacIntyre has called for Carnoustie and Muirfield to become regular Open Championship venues again, saying he wants Scotland to stage the tournament more often. BBC Sport reported the comments as Scotland's leading golfer returned to St Andrews, where he is defending his Alfred Dunhill Links Championship title.

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Carnoustie last hosted the Open in 2018, when Francesco Molinari won, while Muirfield's most recent staging was in 2013. St Andrews is scheduled to host next year's championship. MacIntyre said bringing the other Scottish courses back more regularly would benefit golf in the country, describing both as venues capable of providing a demanding championship challenge.

The 30-year-old's appeal follows two significant victories on home soil. He won the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in 2024 and claimed last year's Alfred Dunhill Links title, becoming the first Scottish winner of that event in 20 years. Reflecting on the latter success, he said winning at the Old Course carried particular meaning after a difficult relationship with the venue.

MacIntyre also spoke about the value of playing in front of home supporters, highlighting the encouragement he receives when competing in Scotland. He said he planned to examine changes to the Old Course during his return. His comments linked the experience of winning there with his wish for more frequent Scottish representation on the Open's hosting schedule.

Alongside the discussion of venues, MacIntyre acknowledged shortcomings in his own game. According to BBC Sport, he is currently outside the qualifying positions for the season-ending events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Qualification is also under way for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland, with MacIntyre seeking another place after playing in the previous two editions.

He said a meeting with his statistics adviser and caddie had focused on areas requiring improvement. Those weaknesses had been apparent for a year, he explained, but measures introduced to address them had not worked. MacIntyre said he was now trying a different approach, while acknowledging that wanting to remain part of Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team was not enough on its own.