Robert MacIntyre's early exit from the Masters Tournament has been overshadowed by a controversial social media post that could draw further scrutiny from Augusta National officials.
The Scottish golfer, ranked eighth in the world, failed to make the cut after posting scores of 80 and 71, finishing seven over par. Shortly after his departure, MacIntyre shared an image on Instagram featuring a garden gnome resembling himself—complete with an extended middle finger.
This provocative gesture references two incidents from his tournament performance: first, television cameras captured MacIntyre directing a middle finger toward the 15th green after hitting his approach shot into the water, resulting in a quadruple-bogey nine. Second, he was heard swearing following errant shots on the 12th and 13th holes.
The Press Association reported that Masters officials had already reprimanded the 29-year-old Ryder Cup winner for his on-course behavior. Augusta National is renowned for its strict code of conduct, applying equally to players and patrons.
MacIntyre's gnome imagery also taps into a broader debate about Masters merchandise. For a decade, limited-edition gnomes have been among the most coveted collectibles in sports memorabilia, often reselling for ten times their original £37 price. When questioned about the gnome's future, tournament chairman Fred Ridley offered a cryptic response: "The question is not trivial... I've been asking that question for several years and they won't tell me the answer, so I can't help you."
By combining personal frustration with tournament tradition, MacIntyre's post ensures his Masters week will be remembered for more than just his golf scores.