MacIntyre speaks to rules official over drone distraction at Dunhill Links

Robert MacIntyre was spoken to by a DP World Tour rules official after becoming frustrated with a broadcast drone during the opening round of the Dunhill Links Championship at Carnoustie on Thursday, BBC Sport reported. The defending champion finished one under par after dropping a shot on his final hole.

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The Scottish golfer, 30, said the problem was not simply the presence of drones above the course. He found their changing sound particularly distracting when wind forced them to adjust their position. A drone remaining stationary was less of an issue, he explained, but fluctuations in the noise disrupted his concentration as he prepared to play.

MacIntyre said he had raised the issue with the official twice before playing his shot at the eighth. He then backed away from that shot because the drone was occupying his thoughts and subsequently hit a poor effort. He also described stepping away from a putt late in the round because a drone was nearby.

The world number 19 said the conversation with the official followed his swearing towards the camera operator. He acknowledged the importance of television coverage and its financial contribution to golf, while questioning why drones needed to operate so close to players. He said he was waiting to hear what the tournament director would say.

His frustration extended to his own performance. A bogey at the par-four ninth, his 18th hole of the day, left him with an opening score he regarded as below his expectations. MacIntyre described an ongoing mismatch between his ball-striking and putting, with one part of his game working better on days when the other struggled.

Despite those frustrations, MacIntyre praised the challenge presented by Carnoustie. Having called earlier in the week for both Carnoustie and Muirfield to feature regularly on the Open Championship rota, he said Thursday's conditions provided a demanding test. His next round is at Kingsbarns on Friday, followed by St Andrews on Saturday to complete the tournament's three-course rotation.