Masters officials take action after Robert MacIntyre caught making middle finger gesture

Scotland's Robert MacIntyre has received a formal reprimand from Masters officials after he was caught making a much-talked-about middle finger gesture on the Augusta National course.

It was an afternoon to forget for MacIntyre, who was 15 shots off the lead after posting an opening round score of +8.

The 29-year-old plummeted down the leaderboard in the final hour of his round, when he recorded a disastrous quadruple-bogey nine on the 15th hole following an unfortunate sequence of events.

MacIntyre dumped his second shot into the water and moments later, the Scot found the water again.

After striking his first approach into the pond guarding the front of the green, he proceeded to make a brief middle finger gesture.

It was one of several contentious incidents during his round. MacIntyre, who was seen slamming his clubs into the fairway in frustration, was also heard swearing, with his remarks being picked up by the TV cameras.

In fact, Sky Sports commentators were forced to apologise after he said, "Jesus, f---” following a wayward shot on the par-3 12th.

Robert MacIntyre produced the middle finger gesture during his opening round at the Masters.

With Augusta National being so strict when it comes to etiquette and behaviour, many expected the Oban-born player to face disciplinary action for his conduct.

And on Friday afternoon, a report from The Scotsman confirmed that MacIntyre was reprimanded by Augusta officials at the end of his first round over 'bad language and a one-fingered gesture'.

He was reminded about the tournament's code of conduct for the event.

Robert MacIntyre has addressed criticism for bad language on the course

MacIntyre, who has become renowned for his bad temper on the golf course, opened up about his behaviour on Tuesday after he was caught saying “that was f****** s****” at last week's Valero Texas Open.

“I know I am volatile and I know the bad language and stuff, but that’s just me," he said. "Even having a little one myself (he became a dad in January) and knowing there are little ones around, I’m not going to change.

“I am trying to do my best out on the golf course. I’m a sportsman and it is live sport. I’m going to react the way I want to react. I’m not going to change how I react because there is someone standing there or elsewhere."

MacIntyre added: “I am trying to do the best that I can and I will take my time after to go and sign autographs with kids and what not, but, when I am playing golf I am red-lining.”