MacIntyre makes 'beautiful' Ryder Cup homecoming by winning Dunhill Links in native Scotland

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Robert MacIntyre won the Dunhill Links Championship on Sunday for a second European tour title in as many years in his native Scotland, completing a successful homecoming after being part of Team Europe's victory in the Ryder Cup last week.

“Just a beautiful ending to a good week," MacIntyre said after shooting a third straight 6-under 66, this time in strong winds on the Old Course at St. Andrews, to complete a four-stroke victory at the home of golf. He scored the same at Carnoustie and Kingsbarns earlier in the week.

The third round was postponed on Saturday because of stormy weather, making the event — a pro-am played over three of Scotland's top links courses — a 54-hole tournament.

The No. 9-ranked MacIntyre, who finished the week on 18-under par, won the Scottish Open last year at The Renaissance Club — his previous victory in individual play. He earned 1 1/2 points for the Europeans last week in their win in the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where MacIntyre encountered much more hostile conditions than he did back home this week.

“I don't know how we’re going to celebrate after the celebrations we had last Sunday,” he said. “We’ll try our best.”

MacIntyre mastered the links by staying largely out of trouble — chiefly by avoiding the pot bunkers dotted around the courses — having arrived in Scotland with expectations hardly at their highest.

“I had a laugh when we were driving the buggy back down to the clubhouse,” he said. "I’ve done everything against the book this week, from preparation. I pitched up Wednesday afternoon. I know the golf courses. Played 12 holes on Wednesday. The diet has not been good this week — I can confirm that. I’ve eaten plenty of takeaways, fish and chips, plenty of others.

“But yeah, sometimes when you are least expecting it, things happen.”

Defending champion Tyrrell Hatton, another member of Team Europe, shot 65 at St. Andrews and jumped into second place — one stroke better than John Parry (66 at St. Andrews) and Richard Sterne (71 at Carnoustie).

Tommy Fleetwood, Europe's top scorer in New York with four points, shot 70 on the Old Course and finished on 9 under — nine strokes off MacIntyre.

Among the celebrities playing the pro-am were Bill Murray, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, while there was sporting royalty in hockey great Wayne Gretzky.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Scotland's Robert McIntyre poses with the trophy after winning the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Andy Murray signs autographs following his final round during day four of the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Catherine Zeta-Jones walks off the 4th tee during day four of the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Michael Douglas on the 16th tee during day four of the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Scottish Robert MacIntyre on the 4th tee during day four of the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre on the 18th tee during day four of the 2025 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Paul Skenes quickly shrugged off the shortest start of his dominant major league career.

Pirates fans shouldn’t worry either after Skenes returned to form on Wednesday.

The reigning NL Cy Young winner allowed one run in five innings and struck out five in the Pirates’ 8-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

“I’m pretty insulated from a lot of stuff that’s out there. The stuff that I do see or hear, I don’t really care anyway because it doesn’t have anything to do with the play. I’m just thinking about getting back to execution and executing my pitches,” Skenes said. “Nothing matters except for the game and the pitches.”

Skenes walked Cincinnati’s TJ Friedl, then retired eight straight, including three strikeouts. He walked Friedl twice in three innings before Elly De La Cruz singled for the Reds’ first hit. Two batters later, Nathaniel Lowe doubled in De La Cruz, ending Skenes’ 31-inning scoreless streak against Cincinnati.

Skenes’ scoreless run was the fourth-longest by a Pirates pitcher against an opponent since 1961. Vernon Law holds the mark, blanking the Mets for 40 innings during 1965-66.

The right-hander retired four of the last five batters he faced and departed after throwing 77 pitches, including 51 strikes.

“Definitely progress. Nice to get some volume and be out there for more than two-thirds,” said Skenes, who improved to 5-0 with a 0.53 ERA in six career starts against the Reds. He has 45 strikeouts and only four walks while holding Cincinnati to a .197 batting average.

Further helping Skenes, the Pirates gave strong run support, scoring three in the first on Oneil Cruz’s homer to right.

“With Skenes on the mound, you hate to give them anything early because you know you’re going to have to fight to get anything you can get,” Reds manager Terry Francona said.

Manager Don Kelly said he wanted to avoid overworking Skenes early, especially after his 37-pitch, two-thirds-inning start in the Mets’ opening day win on Thursday. Skenes allowed five runs, tying a career high, with two walks and a strikeout in the 11-7 loss.

“When you’re going off one outing and 37 pitches, we had targeted 80 for him,” Kelly said. “It was something that we need Paul for the long haul, and he did a great job getting through five. As we go, he’s going to be throwing more than five (innings) and 77 (pitches).”

Skenes has a 2.10 ERA through his first 57 starts, the fourth-best mark by any pitcher since 1920. It is also the lowest mark by a Pittsburgh hurler in any span of 57 starts since Babe Adams had a 2.06 ERA between 1918 and ’20.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)