
Rory McIlroy sends Portrush wild as he bounces back from freak incident to keep his Open dream alive
Scroll down for our blog, where we'll bring you updates across the week
Rory McIlroy carded a rollercoaster Saturday 66 as Royal Portrush as he tried to chase down overnight leader Scottie Scheffler at The Open.
After carding a three-under-par front nine, McIlroy endured a freak incident on 11 that cost him bogey, and bounced back with a stunning eagle on 12. One more birdie followed at 15 to claw him one shot further up the board and get in the clubhouse at-8.
Paul Kimmage at The Open
It kept his dreams of winning the Claret Jug alive as he had closed to within five of leader Scottie Scheffler when he left the course.
How realistic his hopes were? Well that was in the hands of the world number one, who was still out on the course.
Follow along with all the week's action right here on our blog:
2 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
Finally for Fitzpatrick!
It's been a largely miserable back nine for Matt Fitzpatrick, but he rolls in his birdie putt on 15 to climb back to double figures and into a tie for second with Haotong Li. The Englishman needed that - now what can he do on the difficult final three?
12 minutes ago
Another drops back
Tyrrell Hatton is the latest to lose a shot as he misses the green long and left at Calamity and can't make up-and-down from there, so he's back to -8.
As a consequence, as it stands Rory McIlroy is in the penultimate group tomorrow afternoon.
16 minutes ago
Scheffler's unstoppable
Even when it looks like he's going to drop a shot, he's able to scramble for par as he hits his chip to nine-feet and, even though it has a bit of right-to-left swing in it, he reads it just right and sees it drop for the par to stay -13.
Rammed it in, too. That's a man who just has unlimited confidence.
20 minutes ago
Rory McIlroy (-8): Saturday 66
That'll do. A two putt par on 18 completes a round that absolutely thrilled his fans out here at Royal Portrush. Chants of 'Rory, Rory, Rory' echoed across the final holes as the grand slam winner pulled himself up the leaderboard in an attempt to keep alive his hopes of winning The Open Championship at home.
Just how realistic those hopes are going into the final round? Well that's now in the hands of world number one Scottie Scheffler.
It was a round that included everything; three birdies in the opening four holes to turn Portrush electric, a freak incident with an unknown buried ball on 11, a bounce-back eagle and one more birdie for a final flourish.
The dream lives on.
24 minutes ago
Scheffler in the thick of it
He's drawn an ugly lie off the tee on the 14th down the left-hand side by the looks of things on the TV. How far he can advance it towards the green is another. This may be a hack out and rely on the short game job.
And it will be. He does extremely well to advance it to just shy of the green and an up-and-down is needed to save par.
24 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
Right side of the green
Well, the wrong side to the pin. But it's in no danger, almost 50 feet out and you just never know! As Harry Diamond would say, 'he's Rory f**king McIlroy'.
Hole that for 65.
26 minutes ago
Adam McKendry
Wood you look at that
Lee Westwood breaks the 30-barrier for a nine-hole score as he lips out for birdie on 18 but still signs for an inward nine of 29 and a two-under 69 on Saturday to keep him relevant at -5. What a recovery from the Englishman.
Having Fitz
Matt Fitzpatrick is having a really torrid time of it now as, after failing to birdie 12, he compounds it with a bogey at the par-three 13th having missed the green long and has dropped back into a share of third at -9. Only six holes ago he'd just had his last birdie and was one off the lead.
29 minutes ago
He's ok off 18
Rory's tee shot heads towards the sand but is stopped by the semi rough. Well judged. Imagine what this 4,000 seater stand, and the thousands more down the fairway, will do if he gets this close. Boogaloo.
Hao about that
Oh Haotong, that's a costly error. The China star three-putts the par-three 13th from 45 feet and he drops out of a share of second and into third at -9...
... but then immediately jumps back up into a share of second with Fitzpatrick as he bounces back with a birdie at the 14th thanks to a brilliant approach to nine feet!
He is also, by the looks of this picture, a magician who can make putters float. If that was me then I would pack in the golf and make a killing in Vegas.
34 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
Group-watch: Where will Rory be tomorrow?
He's currently in a tie for fifth and could do with a birdie on the last if he is going to get into the penultimate group tomorrow. Unfortunately those have been at an absolute premium today.
38 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
Problem, what problem?
Rory lofts it skyward, pitches it beside the pin and it rolls on to just around 15 feet for birdie. The crowd are loving it. It's not quite Shane Saturday levels, but if this goes in it might get close.
Edit: Unfortunately it was always right and never quite right. Tap-in par. Sure look, five minutes ago we'd have taken it.
39 minutes ago
Missed chance for the last group
Two pars on the short par-five 12th for Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick as the former plays what, by his standards, is a poor approach with his third and simply two-putts, while the latter three-putts from the back of the green and looks sickened by it. He's stalled and can't get it back into gear.
Scheffler's lead is still three at -13 over the Englishman.
42 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
'It's the right play but it must be in trouble'
A member of the press comments as Rory hits driver, but hits it right. It's gone over 320 and not super off line but, again, all comes down to the lie.
Edit: It's not great, now. Similar to where Scheffler was, close to 18th tee, last night.
There's a blue barrier not too far away as well. To be continued. The difference to last night as well is that the pin is much tighter to the bunker Rory has to come over. Par would be just smashing, from here.
43 minutes ago
Back nine of the week?
Lee Westwood has quietly put together an unbelievable back-nine performance, picking up six birdies and two pars thru 17 to pull himself back into the mix (just) at -5. The only two holes he parred - the two par-threes!
48 minutes ago
Gareth Hanna
RORY RORY RORY RORY
His chant goes up from all angles between the 16th green and 17th tee. Then presumably around a screen far away, some shot or other is replayed and the chant goes up from there. Everyone back here joins in for another rendition.
And then some guy chants 'United' afterwards. At least Rory wouldn't mind.
51 minutes ago
All-time club throw
It comes from Robert MacIntyre, who pushes his approach shot into the par-four 14th to the left which is an absolute no-go on that hole and proceeds to spike his club into the ground with such ferocity that it recoils and spins into the air and out of shot of the camera. Might be the best one I've ever seen.
You can't overly blame him, either, to be honest. He three-putted the par-five 12th for just a par and has now added a bogey on the 14th, so he drops back to -6 which is seven adrift.
53 minutes ago
Bunker bound for Scottie
He's in one of the fairway traps on the par-five 12th which means he won't be going for the green in two and will it mean he misses the opportunity to extend his lead on the easiest hole on the course?
Matt Fitzpatrick crushes one down the middle, so he will definitely be going for it in two.
56 minutes ago
Phew. Survival.
Rory's ball is grand down there and it's actually a simple enough chip uphill. Tap in par and it's another eruption from the crowd.
That'll do just fine. One the third hardest hole today, he won't be losing a shot to the field with a par.
57 minutes ago
What a par save
Any time it looks like the door might open, Scottie Scheffler slams it shut in the most emphatic of fashions. The par putt, with a slight left-to-right break, never looks like going anywhere but straight in the middle of the hole and he saves the four to remain -13...
... and open up a three-shot lead as Matt Fitzpatrick bogeys the same hole after finding a poor lie off the tie to fall back into a share of second alongside Haotong Li at -10.
Load more
Live Blog Software

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
LIV Golf star shows true colours as he speaks about crowd reaction to Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy may have had to settle for finishing tied for seventh at The Open, but the wave of support for the Masters-winning superstar was unlike anything Tom McKibbin has ever seen LIV Golf star Tom McKibbin has claimed he has never witnessed anything quite like the reception given to Rory McIlroy at The 153rd Open Championship. McIlroy was unable to claim his sixth major at Royal Portrush, as he and his fellow competitors could only look on whilst Scottie Scheffler cruised to victory to take the Claret Jug. Nevertheless, the 36-year-old received a hero's welcome when he stepped onto the course, with locals desperate to catch sight of the Masters champion. The highly-regarded McKibbin, who endured a disappointing Open Championship after missing the cut on day two, has now praised the Portrush spectators for their steadfast backing of McIlroy, who eventually secured a T7 finish. The youngster's comments display that, even though the support was largely reserved for McIlroy, whose pleas he famoulsy ignored to sign up to LIV Golf this year, he was still ecstatic to see his compatriot be given such a reception. "Yeah, no, I didn't see the stuff on Sunday. I obviously seen it the first couple days, on the Friday," the 22-year-old said when questioned about the crowd's response to the Holywood-born star. "I think he was finishing up when we were on the 12th or 13th, so you could obviously see them from very far away, and the crowds were incredible last week. It was something I hadn't seen before, and it was really good, the support that they showed everyone." With speculation that future Open tournaments could return to Portrush – or Portmarnock – McKibbin was questioned about what teeing off at those venues for a major would mean to him, reports Belfast Live. "I think Portmarnock is a great links course, probably one of the best in the country, and again, it's a very sort of special, special place, special golf club with a lot of history," the Northern Irishman said. "It's a very pure form of golf. As all the rumors are, the Open there would be pretty cool, and to sort of have two Open venues on the island would be pretty cool." McKibbin has suffered from inconsistent form in the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit this year and blamed "silly" errors for his Open Championship woes. "It's been a frustrating last two days. I've played some really nice golf," McKibbin told BBC Sport. "I think it's the best I've played in the four majors I've played in. There was just a few silly mistakes. It's very frustrating with the way I think I've been playing. "I birdied the first and made some really nice chances, and to drop those shots that I didn't think were too poor of a shot, they were more of a mistake, that's what more frustrating than anything." McKibbin's switch to LIV notably grabbed McIlroy's attention, with the Northern Irishman urging him against joining the breakaway circuit. Nevertheless, McKibbin opted to proceed anyway and has since revealed he harbours no regrets about rejecting the PGA Tour, whilst also explaining how competing alongside stars such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau has sharpened his skills. "No, very happy," he told the Irish Independent in May when asked about any regrets over his move. "I've had a great time. Yeah, I'm very happy. I've been very fortunate to tee up alongside several stellar players who have shone in the majors and battle it out with them."


Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Inside incredible five-star hotel Rory McIlroy stayed in for The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy was given a hero's welcome at Royal Portrush during The Open Championship, where he stayed at a brand new five-star hotel overlooking the famous course Rory McIlroy and his family enjoyed the luxury of a five-star hotel during this year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush. The golfing superstar, originally from Holywood just outside Belfast, opted to stay near the course rather than commute from home, which is roughly an hour away from the renowned Dunluce Links. McIlroy, the recipient of a career grand slam in April of this year, chose the Dunluce Lodge for its proximity to the action. Perched with views over the fourth fairway of Portrush, the Lodge opened its doors in time for the 153rd Open Championship - which was won by Scottie Scheffler. The lavish establishment, owned by a US investment group, boasts 35 suites, a cutting-edge spa, and even its own nine-hole putting green among other top-class facilities, reports Belfast Live. Room rates at the retreat range from £350 to £955 per night, varying with room selection and demand. The hotel also offers an exclusive private lodge with eight suites, believed to be where McIlroy and his family resided as he made an emotional return to his home. Constructed at a cost exceeding £14million, Dunluce Lodge is set to benefit from the recent boom in golf tourism spurred by the Open Championship. The Lodge shared a moment on social media, posting a picture of McIlroy with their staff that said: "What an unforgettable week. It was an incredible honour to host Rory McIlroy and his family at Dunluce Lodge during The Open." They added: "Welcoming one of golf's all-time greats, just steps from Royal Portrush Golf Club was truly special for our entire team. Thank you, Rory, for choosing to stay with us. We hope it felt like home." McIlroy was greeted with rapturous applause at Royal Portrush as he became the centre of attention, with massive crowds trailing him throughout the tournament. The Holywood-born star looked set to make a run for the Claret Jug once more, but despite his best efforts, he couldn't quite catch up to Scottie Scheffler, who led the major championship from the outset. Reflecting on the event, McIlroy, who finished tied for seventh, said: "It's been an awesome week. 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. "It's been an amazing week. I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of this crowd. Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the RandA decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am. "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."


Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Bryson DeChambeau accused of 'pathetic behaviour' as new footage from The Open emerges
Bryson DeChambeau has been criticised after being involved in a curt exchange with a ball spotter as he played his way back into contention at The Open Championship Bryson DeChambeau has been slammed for the way he spoke to a volunteer at The Open Championship. The two-time major winner tore up Royal Portrush with a final-round birdie blitz to seal a top-10 finish on Sunday. An opening-day 78 left the LIV Golf star in danger of missing the cut but he responded with a 65 to make the weekend, where he shot 68 and 64, the latter with seven birdies, to end on nine under, eight shots behind champion Scottie Scheffler. However, DeChambeau has since come under fire for the way he spoke to a ball spotter after missing the fairway off a tee and finding thick rough. Camera phone footage of the exchange, shared Golf on CBS, shows DeChambeau eventually finding his ball and then abruptly telling the spotter: 'You can move out of the way, thank you.' As the spotter walks away, a smiling DeChambeau then appears to say: 'Stood right in front of me.' The exchange did not sit well with some golf followers, with some accusing the 31-year-old of 'pathetic behaviour'. One said: 'If you were the spotter and he said that to you, you'd be a Bryson hater for life.' Another added: 'The volunteer was standing there because from that vantage point he could see the ball, and he was waiting for Bryson to acknowledge seeing it. 'In fact, Bryson's first words were, 'Where is it?' So clearly he needed the spotter to show him. Once that was done, Bryson gave the spotter ZERO time to move out of the way before he copped an attitude.' A third said: 'Come on Bryson, this is pathetic behaviour, no matter how rich and good at golf you are.' A fourth argued: 'Bryson literally was there for a second. The spotter was probably just making sure he'd definitely seen his ball.' However, other fans defended DeChambeau, insisting he wasn't rude to the spotter. One said: 'I'm not Bryson's biggest fan, but he said thank you and ok. Maybe could have waited a moment more before asking the spotter to move, but I don't think it's a big deal at all. Move on.' A second agreed, saying: 'Nothing wrong with this. Bryson got to his ball and there's a spotter who's just standing 5ft away. He did his job, move on.' Another fan saw a lighter side to the exchange, joking: 'Bryson treating that spotter like a traffic cone is the real highlight of The Open.' Meanwhile, despite his strong finish at The Open, DeChambeau admitted he is yet to crack Links courses, an issue he admitted he needed to address before the tournament. He said after his final round: 'Look, it was fair conditions the past few days. I always told you guys I like it when it's fair conditions. I can play well. 'I still have to crack the code when it's raining and windy but I feel like we're getting close to some opportunities and solutions for that. 'It just takes a long time to develop stuff. I'm starting to learn. It was a fun three days. I was really proud of the way I turned it around.'