The Open: Rory McIlroy feeling the pressure at Royal Portrush after intense opening round
Five players from five countries tied for the lead in the biggest logjam in the championship since 1938. Scores were bunched together up and down the leader board as dealing with the elements became part of the challenge at Royal Portrush. Golfers battled wind gusts and, for those playing in the middle of the day, rain that was bothersome at times.
McIlroy recovered from a bogey at the first – a three-shot improvement on six years ago when he went out of bounds – to have the crowd buzzing in anticipation.
At three under through 10, having hit just two fairways, raised the prospect of a memorable first day.
But over the course of the next four holes that waywardness off the tee took its toll with three bogeys, including one at the course's easiest hole, the par-five 11th, and only a 12-foot par save at the 15th prevented further damage.
There was a much-needed birdie at the penultimate hole, having again gone left off the tee. His 44-footer for a 69 grazed the cup at the 18th, McIlroy just three off the pace.
'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,' McIlroy said.
'I felt like I dealt with it really well today. I certainly dealt with it better than I did six years ago.
'I was just happy to get off to a good start and get myself into the tournament.
'I'm surprised four under is leading. I thought someone might have gone out there and shot six or seven (under) today.
'Only three back with 54 holes to go, I'm really happy with where I am.'
There are 10 golfers at 2-under 69, including Danish twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Lee Westwood of England, 2023 Open champ Brian Harman, Rickie Fowler and England's Justin Rose.
Phil Mickelson, the tournament's 2013 champion, stood at 2 under at the round's midway mark before finishing with a 1-under 70. He provided an early thrill by holing a shot from the bunker for a par on the third hole.
'I didn't make a ton of long ones, but I made a lot of short ones and a lot of good up-and-downs and lag putting,' Mickelson said. 'You find that going back on past experience, you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it.'
Fitzpatrick pulled even with the leaders with a chip-in on the par-3 16th hole. His attempt from well below the hole hit the pin and dropped in.
'A bit of luck obviously. Sometimes you need that,' he said. 'Obviously, it just came out a little bit harder than I anticipated and on the perfect line.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
9 hours ago
- The National
Manchester United quiz: Ruben Amorim, new season and more
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim will be hoping the next season brings with it renewed hope of success after a terrible last campaign. The Red Devils kick off the 2025/26 campaign with a tough test at home against Arsenal on August 17. Last season was one to forget for United after finishing 15th in the Premier League - their lowest position since they were relegated in 1973/74 - and they also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. There are other issues facing the club. Marcus Rashford is reportedly among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford. Rashford has fallen out of favour with manager Amorim and played for Aston Villa on loan while United had their worst Premier League campaign. United also failed to qualify for the Uefa Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0. Alejandro Garnacho, who was a late substitute in the final, voiced his displeasure on social media after that defeat. With so much happening at United, it can be easy to forget all that has happened so far. Take our quiz below to see how much you remember.
The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Oleksandr Usyk insists age is not a factor in undisputed world heavyweight title clash with Daniel Dubois
Oleksandr Usyk has denied claims that his age could be the decisive factor in Saturday's undisputed world heavyweight title clash with Daniel Dubois. Reigning WBA, WBO and WBC champion Usyk, 38, is more than 10 years older than IBF belt holder Dubois. That significant age gap has sparked suggestions the Ukrainian will struggle to go the distance against his 27-year-old British challenger at Wembley. But Usyk insisted age will not be a factor. 'It's your opinion? Maybe, I don't know. I not feel (rattled),' Usyk said. 'Listen, I respect this guy, this young guy. This guy is motivated but I am too. I am not an old guy. 38 is not old, you know? We will see on Saturday.' The pair are meeting for the second time, with Usyk having claimed a ninth-round stoppage victory in Poland. Yet to lose in 23 professional fights, Usyk is hoping to become an undisputed champion for the third time. Dubois has won his three fights since losing to Usyk, including a victory over compatriot Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September. Dubois said he felt unstoppable for the unification fight that is a rematch of one that the Londoner lost by a controversial ninth-round knockout in Poland in 2023. There, Usyk was given time to recover from what the referee ruled was a low blow. Dubois can become Britain's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999 while Usyk is bidding to be a four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion after relinquishing the IBF title last year. 'I've resurrected myself, resurrected my career and now we're on a roll,' Dubois told the BBC. 'Unstoppable, I feel like I can't be beat right now. I'm in the prime of my life and I'm going to go through whatever I have to do. We're here now, no more excuses. 'I've got to beat him this time and I am going to win. I am going to cause chaos, knockouts, by any means necessary … I am ready. Man, I'm 100 per cent ready. 'As soon as the bell rings my whole approach is just to seek and destroy, bring chaos and get the victory, seize the moment,' he added. For Usyk, the larger question in recent years has been how long he will continue and the answer remains for two more fights. It means Saturday is set to be his penultimate bout. But could a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury be the perfect way for the Ukrainian great to bring the curtain down on a stellar career? 'I don't know. Now my focus is only Daniel on Saturday,' Usyk said. 'No (retirement). Two (more). This and next. I'm not going to quit boxing forever. I'm going to be training younger boxers and giving them the experience I've gained. Maybe I'll even become the coach.' For now, his focus is on Dubois, who has claimed impressive wins over Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Joshua. Yet the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion warned: 'I think that Daniel has got better and now he has a championship belt, but I haven't been staying in one place either. I've been growing too.'
The National
12 hours ago
- The National
The Open: Rory McIlroy feeling the pressure at Royal Portrush after intense opening round
Rory McIlroy's bid to lead the way at The Open in front of his home fans at Royal Portrush collapsed in the space of four holes on the back nine as England's Matt Fitzpatrick joined China's Haotong Li among others at four under par 67 to share the first-round lead in Northern Ireland. Five players from five countries tied for the lead in the biggest logjam in the championship since 1938. Scores were bunched together up and down the leader board as dealing with the elements became part of the challenge at Royal Portrush. Golfers battled wind gusts and, for those playing in the middle of the day, rain that was bothersome at times. McIlroy recovered from a bogey at the first – a three-shot improvement on six years ago when he went out of bounds – to have the crowd buzzing in anticipation. At three under through 10, having hit just two fairways, raised the prospect of a memorable first day. But over the course of the next four holes that waywardness off the tee took its toll with three bogeys, including one at the course's easiest hole, the par-five 11th, and only a 12-foot par save at the 15th prevented further damage. There was a much-needed birdie at the penultimate hole, having again gone left off the tee. His 44-footer for a 69 grazed the cup at the 18th, McIlroy just three off the pace. '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,' McIlroy said. 'I felt like I dealt with it really well today. I certainly dealt with it better than I did six years ago. 'I was just happy to get off to a good start and get myself into the tournament. 'I'm surprised four under is leading. I thought someone might have gone out there and shot six or seven (under) today. 'Only three back with 54 holes to go, I'm really happy with where I am.' There are 10 golfers at 2-under 69, including Danish twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, Lee Westwood of England, 2023 Open champ Brian Harman, Rickie Fowler and England's Justin Rose. Phil Mickelson, the tournament's 2013 champion, stood at 2 under at the round's midway mark before finishing with a 1-under 70. He provided an early thrill by holing a shot from the bunker for a par on the third hole. 'I didn't make a ton of long ones, but I made a lot of short ones and a lot of good up-and-downs and lag putting,' Mickelson said. 'You find that going back on past experience, you don't have to press it. You don't have to force it.' Fitzpatrick pulled even with the leaders with a chip-in on the par-3 16th hole. His attempt from well below the hole hit the pin and dropped in. 'A bit of luck obviously. Sometimes you need that,' he said. 'Obviously, it just came out a little bit harder than I anticipated and on the perfect line.'
