Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre insists he is not fazed by criticism of his behaviour at the Masters, but says he is working to keep his emotions in check.
MacIntyre, 29, missed the cut at the first major of the year after shooting rounds of 80 and 71.
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The Oban native directed a middle-finger gesture towards the 15th green after making a quadruple bogey in his opening round and subsequently slammed his club into the ground after a poor shot on 17.
He was also repeatedly heard swearing by on-course microphones, and posted a mocked-up picture on Instagram of a gnome resembling himself with an extended middle finger.
The Press Association reported the Ryder Cup winner was reprimanded by Augusta National officials for his actions.
In his return to PGA Tour play, MacIntyre carded a five-under 66 at the first round of the RBC Heritage on Thursday – three shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg.
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Having declined to speak to the media during the Masters, the Scot was asked how he was able to reset following last week’s frustration.
“I know what I did isn’t the best way of me doing things, but I wear my heart on my sleeve,” MacIntyre told Sky Sports.
“I’m trying my best to control the emotions – I work with someone back home. There was a lot going on and [I am] disappointed with that.
“I’m very good at putting things behind me, things that get said elsewhere don’t faze me.”
MacIntyre stopped short of apologising, but believes he has the right set-up in place to perform well as he seeks a third PGA Tour victory.
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“I’ve got my family, friends and team, they are the ones I really listen to,” he said. “If I’ve done something wrong, they’ll tell me.
“That’s how I go about life. I just do what I want, how we want, not just personally, but with my family and friends and we go about our business the way we want to do it.
“Some people like it, some people don’t, but at the end of the day it’s a job and I come out here to perform the best I can.”
After six birdies and a solitary bogey at Harbour Town, MacIntyre feels his game is in a good place.
“Coming off last week, a disappointing performance, to come into this week I was comfortable with the golf course, comfortable with my game,” he said.
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“I tried to put as much of last week behind me as I could. I’m driving it beautifully off the tee. I’m being aggressive off the tee which gives me lots of wedges round here.
“I didn’t take many chances in the middle part of the round, which was a bit disappointing, but five-under par is always good to start.”
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