Robert MacIntyre spoken to by official after Dunhill Links drone complaint

Robert MacIntyre was spoken to by a DP World Tour rules official after directing his frustration over a broadcast drone towards a camera operator during the opening round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. BBC Sport reported that the defending champion finished one under par at Carnoustie on Thursday.

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MacIntyre said the changing noise of a drone attempting to hold position in the wind disrupted his concentration. He said he had twice raised the issue before playing the eighth hole, then stepped away from his shot. While acknowledging television's financial importance to golf, he questioned why the aircraft needed to operate so close to players.

The Scot said he would wait to hear from the tournament director after the exchange. The BBC report did not establish any further disciplinary outcome. MacIntyre is scheduled to play Kingsbarns on Friday and St Andrews on Saturday, completing his rounds across the event's three venues.

Elsewhere in the opening round, Scotland's Michael Stewart and Australia's Jack Buchanan reached seven under to share the lead, according to BBC Sport's tournament report. Stewart shot 65 at Carnoustie, while Buchanan played at Kingsbarns. South Africans MJ Daffue and Casey Jarvis were their nearest challengers, each finishing one stroke behind the leading pair.

Stewart, ranked 979th in the world, entered on a sponsor's invitation after finishing second in the Tartan Tour's Duddingston Classic less than a day earlier. The 36-year-old had made only five previous appearances on the main European circuit, most recently in 2023. An eagle at the par-five 12th helped transform his round after a front nine containing just one birdie.

Matt Fitzpatrick, coming off victory at the French Open, opened with a four-under 68 to trail by three shots as he pursued a fifth win of the year. Brooks Koepka returned 69 at Carnoustie for three under, with Tommy Fleetwood a further stroke back. Tyrrell Hatton finished two over after a 74. MacIntyre's opening score left him six shots behind Stewart and Buchanan.