Open Championship: Rory McIlroy Struggles Amid Local Hero 'Added Pressure'
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Rory McIlroy didn't get off to the start he would have liked in the Open Championship. The Holywood, County Down native is playing as the local hero and went through the first 10 holes in spectacular fashion, but the back nine proved to be too challenging and he couldn't keep up.
McIlroy opened the round with a bogey on the first hole, but responded with a birdie on the second. His game only improved from then on, carding three more bogey-free birdies over the next eight holes.
The five-time major champion reached the 11th hole at 3-under, just one stroke behind the leaders. However, his luck changed dramatically from that point on, and he played the next four holes at 3-over (three bogeys), hitting just one fairway and missing three putts inside 11 feet in that stretch.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during day one of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during day one of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 17, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland.McIlroy recovered like a champion and finished the round playing the last four holes with a bogey-free birdie, for an 18-hole score of 1-under.
Overall, McIlroy performed above average in every aspect of his game, except for driving, which was his mantra throughout the round. He hit only two fairways and lost 1.02 strokes off the tee.
The issue is even more relevant considering the Northern Irishman is one of the world's leading drivers.
Rory McIlroy Felt the "Added Pressure" of Playing on Home Soil
Naturally, McIlroy's presence at Royal Portrush drew massive crowds to watch his performance. Let's recall that the Northern Irishman is not only one of the best players in the world, but this is his first official start in his homeland after completing the Career Grand Slam.
"Absolutely incredible," he told reporters during his post-round interview. "Look, I feel the support of an entire country out there, which is a wonderful position to be in, but at the same time, you don't want to let them down. So there's that little bit of added pressure."
Some post round thoughts from Rory McIlroy@GolfDigest pic.twitter.com/A2ZEj3rZ4s — Rory Tracker (@RoryTrackr) July 17, 2025
McIlroy went through a similar situation the last time Royal Portrush hosted the Open in 2019. On that occasion, the 29-time PGA Tour winner missed the cut with rounds of 79 and 65.
"I felt like I dealt with it really well (Thursday). Certainly dealt with it better than I did six years ago," McIlroy said, according to a transcript.
He also noted that he's not out of it at all, adding via reporters, "I was just happy to get off to a good start and get myself into the tournament. ...Only three back with 54 holes to go, I'm really happy with where I am."
More Golf: Viktor Hovland Reveals Shocking Use of Millions From Golf Success
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jon Rahm kicks wedge down Royal Portrush fairway at Open Championship
The post Jon Rahm kicks wedge down Royal Portrush fairway at Open Championship appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Open Championship at Royal Portrush has not been kind to everyone. Bryson DeChambeau had a terrible Thursday, but bounced back Friday, Shane Lowry is losing it, and the rain is coming down hard. Jon Rahm flipped out at a Royal Portrush fan in Round One at The Open Championship, and lost it again on the same hole on Friday. Rahm snapped at a fan who whistled in his back swing on the 11th tee box on Thursday. He explained in his press conference that he was more upset at his poor swing than the fan. But 18 holes later, he hit a poor approach shot on the 11th. The club dropped out of his hand, and instead of picking it up, he kicked it twice. The shot in question got a lucky hop off the mounds and landed on the green. But from 118 yards, Rahm was hoping for a closer birdie putt than 27 feet. He missed that putt, but tapped in for par. One shot better than yesterday at the 11th, but the patience is wearing thin for the Spaniard. The Open Championship is slowly slipping away from Rahm, undoubtedly part of the frustration. He birdied the two par fives on the front, the second and seventh, to move to three under on the tournament. But consecutive bogeys on eight and nine spit those shots right back to the field. Through 14 holes, he is even par on the day and one under for the tournament. Rahm has been solid in majors since signing with LIV Golf, not finishing outside the top 14 in the first three majors of the year. Considering his success in the Irish Open, he was considered a favorite coming into the week. But with Matthew Fitzpatrick stringing together a great round, it's getting late early for Rahm. Related: Shane Lowry assessed penalty after lengthy review at Open Championship Related: Scottie Scheffler steals Open Championship lead with sensational Round 2
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Open Championship news: Scottie Scheffler keeps bonkers trend alive amid Claret Jug chase
The post Open Championship news: Scottie Scheffler keeps bonkers trend alive amid Claret Jug chase appeared first on ClutchPoints. Entering Sunday's final round at the Open Championship, Scottie Scheffler was firmly in pursuit of his first Claret Jug. The 29-year-old American has already captured two Masters Green Jackets, plus this year's PGA Championship. Can he add a fourth major trophy to his collection? According to Golf Digest and golf journalist Justin Ray on X (formerly Twitter), Scheffler has won his last nine opportunities after leading a tournament after 54 holes. Heading into Sunday, Scheffler had a four-stroke lead over the field in Ireland. 'If history holds true, Scottie Scheffler is your Open Champion,' posted Golf Digest on their X (formerly Twitter) profile Saturday afternoon. At the moment, Scheffler holds a five-stroke advantage on the trio of Chris Gotterup, Harris English and Haotong Li. Another trio sits at six shots behind the leader. If Scheffler maintains his steady play, then his streak of nine wins in a row will almost certainly turn to ten. If that happens? Then once again, one of the world's best professional golfers will lift a piece of silverware. Although this time, it will finally be the Claret Jug. Scottie Scheffler seeking first ever win at Open Championship Through ten holes, Scheffler's five-shot advantage is a pretty solid margin. He's two under par for the day, so a couple more birdies certainly wouldn't hurt. However, the onus is on each of his competitors, including his playing partner Li, to bridge the gap. As history has shown, Scheffler doesn't lose in these situations. Will Sunday prove to be different? Despite the hopes and wishes of his competition, it is looking more and more likely that Scheffler will be one major title win away from finishing his career Grand Slam. He's in the prime of his career and looks to close out his tenth consecutive 54-hole lead in a row. By Sunday evening, the golf world will know if Scheffler has accomplished yet another career milestone. As each moment passes, glory for Scottie is looking more and more likely. Related: Which past Open Championship winner sees Nikola Jokic in Scottie Scheffler? Related: Scottie Scheffler downplays Tiger Woods comparisons after Open Championship win
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Scottie Scheffler on Grand Slam doorstep after dominant Open Championship win
The post Scottie Scheffler on Grand Slam doorstep after dominant Open Championship win appeared first on ClutchPoints. Scottie Scheffler has won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. After picking off the PGA Championship at Valhalla in May, Scheffler is now one major short of the career Grand Slam. A mere formality after a dominant Saturday, the World's No. 1 player waltzed to victory with a Sunday 68. Scheffler never left the top five of the tournament, firing a three-under, 68 on Thursday. He followed that up with a birdie barrage on Friday, shooting 64 with a blistering hot putter. Scheffler never let go of the lead after that, opening up a four-shot lead on Saturday and slamming the door on Sunday, beating Harris English by four. The Open Championship had not always been the kindest to Scheffler before this week at Royal Portrush. He finished T-7 in 2024 and T-8 in 2021, with finishes in the 20s between the two. But he never waivered in 2025, even with Rory McIlroy's hometown crowd and some solid Sunday charges. This was the tenth consecutive time Scheffler has closed out a 54-hole lead, an incredible streak. This stat from Justin Ray of TwentyFirst Group shows why. 'Scottie Scheffler has a final round scoring average of 68.8 when holding the 54-hole lead or co-lead on Tour. It's the best scoring average of any player in that situation over the last 30 years (min. 10 rounds).' Scottie Scheffler sits on the doorstep of history Scheffler looked like he was going to charge to a double-digit win, but a double-bogey on the eighth stopped that momentum. Still, his dominance is reaching levels only a select few have. 'If Scottie Scheffler wins by 3 or more, he will be the first player to win his first four professional majors (as they are now defined), each by at least 3 shots, since John Henry Taylor. Taylor was born in 1871,' Ray posted. The 2024 season for Scottie Scheffler was historic, and his injury halted the beginning of 2025. But once that healed, he ripped off two of the four majors, getting on the doorstep of the career Grand Slam. When Rory McIlroy won The Masters, he won his fifth major and the career Grand Slam. Scottie Scheffler has four and could become the seventh Grand Slam winner at the U.S. Open next year. Sunday of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills will be Scheffler's 30th birthday. Sunday at the 2025 Open Championship was exactly 1,197 days after Sunday at the 2022 Masters. Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler took the exact same amount of time between their first and fourth majors. From an existential press conference to a dominant win, Scheffler was the story all week. Scottie Scheffler is the 153rd Champion Golfer of the Year. Related: Nike drops tearjerking Scottie Scheffler ad after Open Championship win Related: Which past Open Championship winner sees Nikola Jokic in Scottie Scheffler?
