In the game Scotland invented and gave to the world, we now have a genuine superstar in Bob MacIntyre… and one who is ruthless in his pursuit of the game’s biggest prizes

The world was a very different place when Colin Montgomerie won the old Standard Life Loch Lomond tournament way back in 1999.

Golf was also a very different game, one which was only in the formative stages of being revolutionised by technology.

Clubheads were much smaller, balls didn’t fly as far in the air, and players and caddies often spent as much time in the pub as they did on the golf course.

For context, at that point, Tiger Woods had won only one major. The game was unrecognisable to what we see now. The prize money on offer was also a pittance in relative terms.

Monty picked up a cheque for just over £160,000 25 years ago, little more than loose change in comparison to the £1.2million pocketed by Bob MacIntyre on Sunday night.

Yet, the magnitude of MacIntyre’s stunning victory at The Renaissance Club transcends the astronomical wealth now available to the game’s top players.

Like the sport itself, the Scottish Open has changed beyond all recognition. Where it was once just a run-of-the-mill European Tour event back in Monty’s day, it is now a genuine A-list tournament.

MacIntyre’s parents – Dougie and Carol – were there to watch their son triumph 

MacIntyre’s victory followed his first PGA tour title, the Canadian Open, earlier this year

That is reflected in the calibre of players who pitch up every year in East Lothian, with The Renaissance now very much entrenched as the tournament’s home.

An event co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, it attracts top talent from all over the globe.

Multiple major champions and Ryder Cup stars are dotted throughout the field, hence the wider significance of MacIntyre’s victory.

To fully appreciate the scale of his achievement, one need only look at some of the other names on the leaderboard.

Adam Scott, a former Masters champion and former World No 1. Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner and still the most globally popular player in the game.

Collin Morikawa, a former Open and USPGA champion. Just three names who were in close pursuit of MacIntyre on Sunday. Likewise Ludvig Aberg, the new bona fide golden boy of European golf.

It was a field which also included defending Open champion Brian Harman, as well as American superstars Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth.

But Bob beat them all – and he did so with a late burst of brilliance which was worthy of winning any tournament.

He played his last five holes in four-under par, which included a birdie two on the 14th, an eagle three on the 16th, before he holed a brilliant 20-foot putt for birdie on the last to seal the victory.

Beyond the obvious sense of national pride, this was an afternoon when MacIntyre elevated himself to a whole new level.

He has now rocketed up to No 16 in the world rankings, as well as giving himself a massive boost in both the Race to Dubai and the FedExCup standings. Multiple doors have opened.

Given the personal significance of the tournament, as well as the calibre of opposition, only a major could ever top this for MacIntyre.

It was a glorious day for Scottish sport, one of the very best we’ve been privileged to witness over these past 25 years or so.

When Andy Murray won Wimbledon and Chris Hoy won six Olympic gold medals, they were rightly championed as Scotland’s finest athletes.

But, plainly, there are far more people in Scotland who play golf than who play tennis or ride bikes. Hence why MacIntyre’s victory should be given the place it deserves.

In the game Scotland invented and gave to the world, we now have a genuine superstar – and one who is ruthless in his pursuit of the game’s biggest prizes.

When MacIntyre won the Canadian Open just over a month ago to break his duck on the PGA Tour, he took a lot of criticism for his decision to pull out of The Memorial Tournament the following week.

Some critics claimed he had shown a lack of ambition by withdrawing from such a prestigious event, which is hosted by Jack Nicklaus.

But, in the middle of a hectic schedule, the Scot was determined to do what was right for him and to take a break as he geared up for a huge summer on home soil.

MacIntyre wrote a letter to Nicklaus to explain the reasoning behind his decision – and got one back in response from a man whom the term golfing royalty would scarcely do justice.

Speaking last week, MacIntyre explained: ‘I got quite a bit of heat for not playing it [The Memorial] but yeah, he [Nicklaus] would have done the same as me, so he said.

‘It was a lovely letter to have and from such a great guy. Hopefully, next year I can be there to challenge.’

MacIntyre postponed his press duties at Royal Troon yesterday as he rightly took some time to celebrate with family and friends.

Expanding on the decision not to play in The Memorial, his manager Iain Stoddart said on Monday: ‘Everything is calculated. Nothing is done is done on a whim. Never.

‘After Canada, that was six weeks of tournaments on the trot. The Memorial would have been seven. US Open eight and the Travelers nine.

‘It doesn’t look like too bad a decision now, does it not? But this isn’t just about one thing. This is about everything that is done.

‘When decisions are taken, every factor is taken into account and all of the pros and cons are weighed up.

‘If it comes down on the side of making a big call, then we make a big call. It is as simple as that.

‘Let’s be honest, it doesn’t always turn out to be correct. The final decision always lies with Bob. Our job is to sit there and present the facts to him.

‘Then the matters are discussed and he pushes the button, no one else.

‘Bob is not scared to make those big calls, not scared to do something if he thinks it is right.’

On MacIntyre’s victory and celebrations on Sunday night, Stoddart added: ‘It was exactly what was needed.

‘All the right people were there, all his closest friends and his nearest and dearest.

‘It was an important moment in Bob’s career and it was right to celebrate.

‘Whatever version of Bob that rolls up at Troon will roll up, but he felt it was right to mark the win.’

After ending a 25-year wait for a home winner in the Scottish Open, MacIntyre’s full focus will now turn to Royal Troon this week.

It has also been 25 years since Scotland last had a major champion, going back to Paul Lawrie’s victory at Carnoustie. Is it time to party like it’s 1999?

Well, once he blows off the cobwebs, MacIntyre’s form and proven track record on links courses could make him a dangerous prospect in Ayrshire.