Chirping Canadians help inspire MacIntyre

TROON, SCOTLAND Originally on the media schedule for Monday, Robert MacIntyre finally did his pre-Open news conference Wednesday afternoon.

- JOE CALLAGHAN

Why the 48-hour delay? MacIntyre was shaking off the effects of a big shindig after he had delighted the home hordes by winning the Scottish Open in dramatic fashion Sunday. A hell of a party ensued.

The 27-year-old, of course, is also Canada's Open champion after a superb weekend performance at Hamilton Golf and Country Club last month.

Although a Ryder Cup hero last year, MacIntyre pointed to his RBC victory as a crucial step in spurring him to home glories.