logo
McIlroy falls short in bid to crown British Open homecoming with the claret jug

McIlroy falls short in bid to crown British Open homecoming with the claret jug

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Scottie Scheffler was walking down the first fairway at Royal Portrush when a shout came from outside the ropes: 'Go Rory!'
They were all over the Dunluce Links again Sunday, those passionate supporters of Rory McIlroy cheering on their favorite son in the final act of his homecoming — whether they were watching him or not.
The big disappointment for McIlroy was that he couldn't deliver what they craved.
'It's been an awesome week,' McIlroy said after shooting 2-under 69 to tie for seventh at the British Open. 'I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a claret jug, and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us.'
That might be an understatement.
Scheffler, the world No. 1, won by four shots to capture his fourth major title. He was seven strokes clear of McIlroy and playing on a different level in this pretty corner of Northern Ireland.
McIlroy even acknowledged as much.
'He's an incredible player,' he said of Scheffler. 'He's been dominant this week. Honestly, he's been dominant for the last couple years. He is the bar that we're all trying to get to.'
As for Scheffler, he could only apologize for spoiling the McIlroy party.
'I know I wasn't the fan favorite today,' he said, grinning, in his post-round speech on No. 18, 'but I did hear a lot of USA and Dallas, Texas chants.'
Scheffler might have won two majors this year and asserted himself as the game's dominant player. Yet, for many, 2025 still belongs to McIlroy after his dramatic win at the Masters in April to complete the career Grand Slam.
Fans came in droves this week to celebrate McIlroy's achievements, and produced some of the loudest roars he has ever heard on a golf course.
If McIlroy didn't quite deliver, then Royal Portrush — where he shot 61 as a 16-year-old for the course record — certainly did, gaining widespread rave reviews.
When the Open returned to Portrush in 2019 for the first time in 68 years, McIlroy was so emotional he hit his opening drive out-of-bounds, shot 79 and missed the cut.
He made amends six years later.
'I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this in front of this crowd,' McIlroy said. 'Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back — probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more gray than I already am.'
McIlroy started Sunday six strokes back from Scheffler after a wild third-round 66, and needed a minor miracle to catch his big rival.
He got up-and-down for birdie at the par-5 second hole but couldn't make a fast enough start. A bogey at No. 4, after missing the green with his approach, was a mistake he couldn't afford and he suddenly was eight shots adrift of Scheffler, who played as steady as ever.
A double at No. 10 ended his hopes.
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
McIlroy couldn't reproduce his Saturday charge but at least played all four days this time.
'I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last there and that reception,' McIlroy said.
'It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week.'
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The world's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, gives football a try at Florida
The world's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, gives football a try at Florida

Winnipeg Free Press

time34 minutes ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

The world's tallest teen, 7-foot-9 center Olivier Rioux, gives football a try at Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The world's tallest teenager is trying his hand — his reach, really — at football. Florida basketball player Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center who played for the Under-19 Canadian national team this summer, recently worked out for the Gators' football team. Rioux donned an orange helmet and took snaps on special teams, with Florida assistant coaches hoping his massive wingspan might be a difference maker when it comes to blocking field goals and extra points. 'I like the idea,' Gators basketball coach Todd Golden said during a booster event Thursday evening. 'I give them credit for trying it.' There was one issue: The 305-pound Rioux has an 11-inch vertical, so even with his extra-long reach, he was unable to block any kicks during the workout. 'They were a little disappointed,' Golden said. No worries. Rioux can simply stick to his full-time gig with the hoops team. After redshirting as a true freshman last season, he's expected to get on the court in limited capacity this fall. He's unlikely to play much considering the defending national champions return their entire frontcourt, but he should at least get on the court in garbage time. Golden already has considered using him to guard inbound passes, something Rioux did to perfection just before halftime against the United States in the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland earlier this month. Rioux forced an errant pass that led to a turnover and a 3-pointer just before halftime. Rioux's unusual height landed him in the Guinness World Records a few years ago and he has become a walking viral video at Florida. While coaches and teammates climbed a ladder to cut pieces of the nets after the Gators won the Southeastern Conference Tournament, Rioux was able to do it while standing flat-footed. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: and

Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions
Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions

Toronto Star

timean hour ago

  • Toronto Star

Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions

DETROIT (AP) — Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido hit back-to back hit home runs in the fifth inning to help the surging Toronto Blue Jays rout the slumping Detroit Tigers 11-4 on Thursday night in a matchup of first-place teams going in opposite directions. The AL East-leading Blue Jays have won 19 of their last 24 games, and the AL Central-leading Tigers have lost 10 of 11.

Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions
Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions

Winnipeg Free Press

timean hour ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Surging Blue Jays beat slumping Tigers in a matchup of 1st-place teams going in opposite directions

DETROIT (AP) — Ernie Clement and Joey Loperfido hit back-to back hit home runs in the fifth inning to help the surging Toronto Blue Jays rout the slumping Detroit Tigers 11-4 on Thursday night in a matchup of first-place teams going in opposite directions. The AL East-leading Blue Jays have won 19 of their last 24 games, and the AL Central-leading Tigers have lost 10 of 11. Clement's three-run home run gave Toronto a 4-1 lead and Loperfido followed with a soaring, solo shot to right field. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a game-tying double in the sixth to bring home the first of five runs in the inning. Guerrero's RBI double in the four-run seventh helped the Blue Jays pull away with a 9-1 lead. The Blue Jays didn't let up, going ahead 11-1 in the eighth on Nathan Lukes' two-run homer. Jahmai Jones hit a solo homer to give Detroit a 1-0 lead in the first. The Tigers didn't generate more offense until it was too late in the ninth, when Spencer Torkeson hit his 22nd homer in a three-run inning against right-hander Chad Green. Eric Lauer (6-2) allowed one run on five hits without a walk while striking out six in a season-high eight innings. Reese Olson (4-4) gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over 5 2/3 innings after throwing four scoreless innings. Dietrich Enns replaced him and got roughed up, allowing four runs. Geoff Hartlieb gave up two more runs in one inning after being recalled from Triple-A Toledo to replace right-hander Carlos Hernandez, who was designated for assignment. Key moment Clement hit Olson's hanging slider over the left-field wall for a three-run homer in the pivotal sixth inning. Key stat Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Blue Jays have won nine straight series openers and are 22-13 in the first game of a series this season. Up next Toronto RHP Jose Berrios (6-4) and Detroit RHP Keider Montero (4-2) are the probable pitchers Friday in the second matchup in the four-game series. ___ AP MLB:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store