logo
Home favourite Rory McIlroy falls short in bid for first-round Open lead

Home favourite Rory McIlroy falls short in bid for first-round Open lead

Irish Examiner17-07-2025
Rory McIlroy looked like delivering the show the thousands who had flocked to Royal Portrush to cheer their returning hero expected, only for his bid for the first-round Open lead to collapse in the space of four holes on the back nine.
The Northern Irishman from an hour down the road in Holywood rarely comes to these parts due to commitments on the PGA Tour and on his last competitive visit in 2019 went home early after missing the cut.
But, after teeing off at 3.10pm with a four-under-par target in his sights, he recovered from a bogey at the first – a three-shot improvement on six years ago when he went out of bounds – to have a crowd 10 deep in places buzzing in anticipation.
Rory McIlroy was cheered on by the fans at Royal Portrush (Peter Byrne/PA).
The 61 he shot as a 16-year-old on this course was never on the cards, but 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 from similar distance at the penultimate hole, having again gone left off the tee, and even though his 44-footer for a 69 grazed the cup at the 18th, the fans went home happy, with their man just three off the pace.
That was set by McIlroy's Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick, whose 67 was the lowest opening round of his major career, world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen, China's Li Haotong, South African Chris Bezuidenhout and American Harris English.
'I had it going three under through 10 and let a few slip around the middle of the round. I steadied the ship well and played the last four in one under and it was just nice to finish under par,' McIlroy said.
'It was a tough enough day, especially either chopping out of the rough or out of the fairway bunkers.'
Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, continued his upward trend following top-10 finishes in his last two events after an otherwise disappointing season, despite a joint-eighth place at May's US PGA.
The Sheffield golfer got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, but the highlight was a slam-dunk chip for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th.
'I felt like The Players was the lowest I've felt in my career,' Fitzpatrick, bidding to become the first English winner of The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, said of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March.
'Statistically it could be the worst run that I've played as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going.
'Today I just felt like I did drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day.'
Olesen, a Danish left-hander who won the Amateur Championship at Ballyliffin in Ireland last summer, only turned professional in November after earning his DP World Tour card.
That meant the 26-year-old had to sacrifice his amateur exemptions for this year's Masters and US Open, so this was only his second appearance at one of golf's premier events after his debut at Troon 12 months ago.
But he had no regrets about his decision, having come through qualifying a fortnight ago.
Matt Fitzpatrick was in a five-way share of the lead (Mike Egerton/PA).
'I think it would have been a different decision if I was 19 at the time, but getting out on tour has always been a dream of mine,' he said.
'I had already made the decision before even going to second stage of Q-school that, if I got through, it would be a no-brainer to turn pro.'
World number one Scottie Scheffler missed a birdie putt at the last which would have given him a share of the lead, but his 68 was the lowest score by a player who hit three or fewer fairways in The Open for last 25 years.
'When it's raining sideways it's actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway. Thank you guys all for pointing that out,' said the reigning US PGA champion.
Asked whether there was a shot he was really pleased with, he replied: 'No.'
English duo Tyrrell Hatton and Matthew Jordan, one of only two players in the field with top-10 Open finishes in the previous two years, were also three under, with 52-year-old compatriot Lee Westwood marking his 30th anniversary at the tournament with a two-under 69.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Peter O'Mahony's wife Jessica jokes she's ‘hanging in there' as she celebrates wedding anniversary with throwback pic
Peter O'Mahony's wife Jessica jokes she's ‘hanging in there' as she celebrates wedding anniversary with throwback pic

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Peter O'Mahony's wife Jessica jokes she's ‘hanging in there' as she celebrates wedding anniversary with throwback pic

PETER O'MAHONY and wife Jessica celebrated their five-year wedding anniversary - with the mum-of-three joking she was "hanging in there". The soulmates tied the knot back in 2020, with Jess sharing a throwback from "those Covid days" on Friday. 3 Peter and Jessica O'Mahony celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary 3 They got married in 2020 before a second wedding in 2022 3 Their anniversary fell on the same day as their son Theo's birthday As a result of the Covid-19 As a result, they had a France . two years later in 2022. Many of the guests were rugby teammates, including ex-Ireland skipper family members and friends. Their anniversary on Friday fell on the same day as their son Theo's seventh birthday. Read More on Peter O'Mahony His mum shared a photo of her middle child with the caption: "Our little man is 7" while lamenting how "time flies". The dual celebration came after the , Ireland 's most beloved sporting figures. Both couples were joined on the beach day by their children with it looking like a hectic if happy scene from start to finish. Most read in Rugby Union The Lowry clan had initially visited the Rebel County in an effort to unwind after On the Saturday of the year's final major, I want to be adopted by Peter & Jess O'Mahony' jokes Shane Lowry's wife after fun family trip to Cork "I tried to get a protein drink down me after eight holes, and I felt like throwing up all over the place. It's been a tough day and I had a bad finish. 'It was hard to take. Then I woke up at 2.30am with cramps in my stomach. I know we have it in the house. "Ivy had it a couple of days ago. Wendy had it yesterday. Me and Iris have it today. It will be gone by the holidays next week so at least that's a plus. 'Honestly, every bathroom I went in and tried to throw up, I couldn't. It's just such a bad feeling. It's just really bad timing obviously.' The Offaly native did still manage to close out his tournament well, however, carding a slick rather than sick round of 66 on Sunday. He acknowledged: "Obviously I would have liked to do better this week, there's no doubt about that. "But it is what it it. I tried my best, I gave it everything I could and it wasn't to be. "For me now the next two months, obviously the play-offs are huge, but my focus and my work will be getting out of bed every morning to prepare for hopefully going to Bethpage and winning that Ryder Cup. "I think it's a big thing for us Europeans and it's a big thing for me. major season is over now so everything turns towards the Ryder Cup."

Rory McIlroy says green jacket is 'on a yacht' as he parties in France
Rory McIlroy says green jacket is 'on a yacht' as he parties in France

Irish Daily Mirror

time4 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

Rory McIlroy says green jacket is 'on a yacht' as he parties in France

Rory McIlroy told a fan that he is keeping his green jacket on a yacht as he took a well-earned break following the completion of the major season. McIlroy achieved his lifelong dream of completing the career grand slam when he won the Masters earlier this year. With the FedEx Cup starting in a couple of weeks, he is spending some time holidaying abroad. The five-time major winner took some time to adjust after the big win, with his form slumping, and spoke publicly about needing time to adjust following such an achievement. And now with the majors behind him, McIlroy is enjoying some time soaking in the sun and drinking some wine in Saint Tropez, France. In a video circulating on social media, McIlroy was seen enjoying himself with friends, before an onlooker managed to grab his attention and asked where his green jacket is before a buzzing McIlroy said: "It's on the yacht!' McIlroy finished in a tie for seventh at last week's Open Championship and spoke about it being a dream come true. "Thank you to all the fans for your incredible support at Portrush this past week," McIlroy wrote on Instagram. "Playing in front of the home crowd was an experience I will never forget. A special thank you to the staff at @dunlucelodge for their world class hospitality." 'I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset,' said McIlroy after The Open. 'I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be and we've still got a lot of golf left this year with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September. 'I don't want to play too much leading up to that because I want to be fresh so I'm looking forward to a few weeks off here. 'I'll reflect on what's been already a good year and start to get myself ready for that run up to the Ryder Cup.'

‘Green Jacket? It's on the yacht' – Rory McIlroy parties and jokes with golf fans on break in a beach club in St Tropez
‘Green Jacket? It's on the yacht' – Rory McIlroy parties and jokes with golf fans on break in a beach club in St Tropez

The Irish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

‘Green Jacket? It's on the yacht' – Rory McIlroy parties and jokes with golf fans on break in a beach club in St Tropez

RORY MCILROY has been enjoying some time away from the golf course as he was seen joking with fans in St Tropez. The Northern Irish clubber finished tied for seventh at the Open, which ended on Sunday. 3 Rory McIlroy won his green jacket in April after years of trying Credit: Sportsfile 3 It took him 11 years to complete his career grand slam Credit: PA The golfer was spotted by some fans partying in a beach club to loud music. The fans were keen to know why he was not wearing his green blazer that he earned for winning the Masters in April. They typed out a message on their phone reading "Where's the Green Jacket?". READ MORE ON SPORT They also tried shouting the question to McIlroy, but could not be heard over the loud music. McIlroy eventually spotted the fans and bounced his way over to them, clutching a wine glass. He answered their question brilliantly as he joked: "It's on the yacht ." The group of them burst out laughing as they enjoyed the vibes of the party. Most read in Golf SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN McIlroy appeared very relaxed with his friends as he wore a jacketless outfit of a black shirt and swim trunks paired with a backwards cap. The moment has gone viral on social media with plenty of fans enjoying the golfer's humour. Baffled Rory McIlroy hits TWO balls with ONE shot in incredible never-seen-before incident at The Open One posted: "Haters gonna hate but this is a W for Rory." A second commented: "Could be the hardest flex of all time." A third wrote: "This is the most I've ever liked Rory." A fourth said: "I like Rory now based off this video." 3 McIlroy was in the party mood in St Tropez Credit: Getty Another added: "Hate Rory but kinda love that he gets down." McIlroy landed the Green Jacket after 11 years of trying to complete his Grand Slam. However, he did fail to beat McIlory was left stunned at one point during the tournament as he hit two balls with

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