Robert MacIntyre’s putting changes have propelled him to an early commanding lead at the 2023 BMW Championship, held at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. After rounds of 62 and 64, MacIntyre sits 14-under par, showcasing remarkable putting form that has transformed his performance and put him firmly in control of the tournament.
MacIntyre’s Dominance through Improved Putting at Caves Valley
From the outset of the BMW Championship, Robert MacIntyre’s game impressed both fans and fellow players. Tommy Fleetwood, standing near the media area just after his second round, observed MacIntyre’s steady progress with a mixture of awe and disbelief. MacIntyre’s fast start, including birdies on consecutive holes and strong putting on challenging greens, gave him a lead that stretched up to seven strokes after 36 holes.
MacIntyre acknowledged his own surprise at his current form, expressing uncertainty about the sudden improvement, but the statistics clearly reflect his excellence. His approach shots have been strong, but it is his putting that has driven his outstanding score. This surge follows a series of deliberate changes made earlier in the season, addressing inconsistencies with his previous putting style.
The Putting Overhaul That Changed MacIntyre’s Game
Earlier in the year, Robert MacIntyre struggled notably on major tournament greens, including Augusta National and the PGA Championship. These difficulties prompted him to make key adjustments. With Mike Kanski, a putting coach influenced by Phil Kenyon’s methods, MacIntyre shifted his putting strategy before the PGA Championship’s second major. The changes also came with a switch in equipment, as MacIntyre replaced his Scotty Cameron putter with a TaylorMade Spider GT.
MacIntyre explained the focal point of his new putting approach:
“The priority is getting that putter face as square as I can at impact, which it’s not rocket science, but it’s difficult to do,”
—Robert MacIntyre, professional golfer
“For me, that’s the priority now, just to go and do that. Then when you get in a certain range, it’s all pace putting and touch, and my touch is normally pretty good.”
—Robert MacIntyre, professional golfer
The putter change delivered near-immediate benefits. Since the PGA Championship, MacIntyre has gained strokes on the greens in all but one event, steadily building his confidence. His recent tournament performances have underscored this trend, with a tie for sixth at the Charles Schwab Challenge, a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, and a seventh-place tie at The Open Championship before arriving at Caves Valley.
Peak Putting Performance Fuels BMW Championship Lead
During Thursday’s opening round at Caves Valley, MacIntyre recorded arguably the best putting round of his career, holing putts totaling 195 feet and gaining over five shots on the field. He capped the round with six consecutive birdies, including remarkable putts of 65 and 40 feet. The following day, he continued his strong putting with just under 100 feet holed and remained bogey-free, hitting long putts of 29 and 14 feet.
MacIntyre said of his performance on these tough greens:
“If you’re on the wrong side of the holes, it’s going to be carnage out here,”
—Robert MacIntyre, professional golfer
“I feel like this week I’ve really done a good job of getting it underneath the hole to be able to be aggressive with an uphill putt.”
—Robert MacIntyre, professional golfer
Only three other players are within seven strokes of MacIntyre’s lead. Notably, Tommy Fleetwood trails in a tie for fifth place at 6-under, eight shots behind. Fleetwood reflected on the difficulty of maintaining focus amidst such a scoring gap:
“I think it’s easy to see one person’s score, which is phenomenal, and be a bit frustrated with the odd mistake really,”
—Tommy Fleetwood, professional golfer
“I think that just emphasizes when you do make a bogey or a couple of bogeys, it’s easy to get frustrated at that.”
—Tommy Fleetwood, professional golfer
Implications of MacIntyre’s Putting for the Tournament’s Outcome
With world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler positioned a few shots behind and other contenders striving to close the gap, the tournament remains tense and competitive. However, MacIntyre’s putting form stands out as a critical advantage. His confidence with the TaylorMade Spider GT and refined technique put him in a strong position to contend for the title during the weekend rounds at Caves Valley.
MacIntyre’s own words underscore the threat he poses if he sustains this level of play:
“I’ve always said when I’m comfortable with a putter in my hands, it’s a dangerous thing.”
Given his current trajectory, that danger may become reality for his competitors as the BMW Championship unfolds.