The Open 2025: Rory McIlroy lauds 'incredibly impressive' Scottie Scheffler after falling short at Portrush
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
An Open to remember - 18 photos from Royal Portrush
Four days and 267 shots later, Scottie Scheffler completed the third part of his Grand Slam quest as he dominated The Open at Royal Scheffler's brilliance, the scenic views and, of course, Rory McIlroy mania, it was a week to honour of the famous links course, here are 18 of the best photos from a memorable week in Northern Ireland. Before the golfers' attentions turned to the course, signer and golf fanatic Niall Horan joined several players for a chip-in challenge down at Portrush by the reactions here I think he was pretty close. Scottie Scheffler made headlines before the Open had even started when he said professional golf was "not a fulfilling life" and questioned "the point" of pursuing victories when that euphoria lasts a couple of minutes.I'm sure he was questioning "what's the point?" when he was standing getting hammered by rain at the start of the week, when Northern Ireland was getting hit by four seasons in one well that ends well, however. Tunnel vision for Bryson American was one of the most popular players throughout the week and, after a horrendous opening round of seven over, he put on a clinic with rounds of 65, 68 and 64 to finish on nine under and tied for 10th an entertaining man to watch. Rory mania was in full flow at Royal Portrush as fans - both young and old - hunted McIlroy down for an autograph or a glimpse of the local hero. It was a 06:30 BST start on Thursday, but the crowds still came out in force to watch Padraig Harrington hit the opening tee shot at the two-time Open champion did not make the cut but his 'scientific' comments about Portrush having the best 99 ice creams on the Open rota were one of the most memorable moments of the week. Golfers, spectators and media all became weather experts throughout the week as the skies dominated Fleetwood was one of those to toil on a wet and wild opening day, but he would recover to seven under for the it would clear up for the final two days. Xander Schauffele had a strong week in Northern Ireland but didn't have enough to defend his Open title from Royal Troon 12 months ago. Here, he takes some Portrush turf with him as the wet and windy weather made things tricky in the opening two rounds. Is this the best view in golf? It must be a great feeling hitting a shot into the colosseum of the 18th hole at Royal Portrush. The sun certainly helps too. Here, Bob MacIntyre unloads a ball towards the green. The Scot was one of the most popular players on the course during the week. It quickly became a tradition that dozens of young fans would make that way to the players' exit from the 18th green to try and catch a you can see, it became quite competitive. After a two-stroke penalty on Friday that dropped him out of contention, Shane Lowry might have needed a guiding light to battle his way into the this the photo of the entire week? Quite possibly. Li Haotong - once dubbed the most handsome man in China - takes in what could be the most handsome view on the golf a clear day, you can see along the coast for several miles and take in the golden, sandy beach below. It went that way! On the picturesque sixth hole, with 'the most famous bench in golf' in the background, spectators look in the evening sun as Matthew Fitzpatrick hits his tee shot in the third round. Forget 'Where's Wally?'. The Open was a case of 'Where's Rory?' as the crowds followed him everywhere he went. His Saturday round, including his eagle put on the 12th, will live long in the memory of those watching. Now, this is Fitzpatrick's approach to lining up a put caught a lot of attention in that, or he's trying to get as close as possible to Scottie Scheffler. We wouldn't blame him. Do you ever feel like someone is watching? Thousands of fans followed Rory McIlroy through his final two rounds from first hole to last. It was an emotional farewell to Royal Portrush from McIlroy's home support as he received a standing ovation as he walked onto the 18th green. It wasn't to be for the Masters champion, but he banished the memories of 2019. In an adorable moment, and not without a couple of tumbles on the way, Scheffler's son, Bennett, made his way onto the green after his dad had been handed the Claret Jug.
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Rory McIlroy hails Scottie Scheffler after his Open triumph at Royal Portrush - insisting world No 1 is 'on a different level' to his rivals
Rory McIlroy expressed his admiration for Scottie Scheffler after the world number one denied him the chance of an emotional win in his home Open with a runaway victory at Royal Portrush. The Northern Irishman began the day six off the lead and he probably knew it was a bridge too far to reel in the in-form American, who had already won the US PGA this year to add to his two Masters titles. It would have required a fast start and shooting something close to the 61 McIlroy shot on this course as a 16-year-old - virtually impossible in a major setting. 'I wish I had have been closer to Scottie going into today and been able to make a real push but he's been on a different level all week and he's been on a different level for the last two years to the rest of us,' he said after his rival won the third leg of the career Grand Slam which McIlroy completed at Augusta in April. 'None of us could live with what he had this week. He is the bar that we're all trying to get to at this point, so hats off to him. 'I think all you can do is admire what he does and how he does it. I think what he does is one thing, but how he does it is another. 'He just goes about his business, doesn't do anything overly flamboyant, but he's the best at executing in the game right now. 'In a historical context, you could argue that there's only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run, the one that Scottie's been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive. 'He's been absolutely amazing over these past two to three years. He's an unbelievable player, an incredible champion and a great person too.' After missing the cut six years ago when The Open returned to Portrush, McIlroy was determined to make it up to the thousands of fans willing him on this week. But he had too much to do on the last day and a two-under-par 34, including three birdies and a bogey, on the easier front nine, was just not enough. He was still six shots back at the turn but a double-bogey at the 10th, where he mis-hit a chip, represented the end of his challenge despite two more birdies coming home to finish seventh on 10 under, seven behind Scheffler. 'I felt like I did well. Eight, nine and and 10 were the ones that killed me - not that I was ever going to get to 17-under I don't think,' he added. 'I could have maybe finished second, which would have been better than where I did finish, but only making par off those tee shots on eight and nine and then the double off of 10 after the flier did me in. Then I just tried to play a good back nine and finish as well as I could.'
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy makes Scottie Scheffler claim after Open triumph with Tiger Woods comparison
Scottie Scheffler romped to victory at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, continuing his golfing dominance just days after he hinted that he was considering his future in the sport Rory McIlroy hailed Scottie Scheffler as one of the hottest players in history after the American sealed a four-shot Open win in sunny Ulster. The world No.1 has dominated golf over the last two years by winning 14 out of his 38 events. And the reigning US PGA champion won the third leg of his career Grand Slam here at the age of 29. World No.2 McIlroy said: 'None of us could hang with Scottie this week. He's an incredible player. 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. 'In a historical context, you could argue that there's only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run, the one that Scottie's been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive. He's a very worthy winner. Also, he's a great person, and I think he's a wonderful ambassador for our game as well.' Scheffler has now recorded 11 top-eight finishes in a row - the best since Tiger Woods in 2007/08 - as he became the third consecutive American winner. Scheffler is also the second player after Woods to win the Open as world No.1. Last year's champion, Xander Schauffele, said: 'I don't think we thought the golfing world would see someone as dominant as Tiger come through so soon, and here's Scottie sort of taking that throne of dominance. You can't even say he's on a run. He's just been killing it for over two years now.' But the Olympic champion, who has now topped the rankings for over two years, claimed comparisons with Woods were 'a bit silly'. He said: 'Tiger won, what, 15 majors? This is my fourth. I just got one-fourth of the way there. I think Tiger stands alone in the game of golf. 'He was inspirational for me growing up. He was a very, very talented guy, and he was a special person to be able to be as good as he was at the game of golf. Scheffler celebrated with his wife Meredith, son Bennett and parents Scott and Diane. In his pre-tournament press conference, he said that golf was not a 'fulfilling life' and he asked himself: 'What is the point?' The world No.1 said: 'This is amazing to win the Open Championship, but at the end of the day, having success in life, whether it be in golf, work, whatever it is, that's not what fulfills the deepest desires of your heart.'
