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
Scotsman
15 hours ago
- Scotsman
Posse of Scots lurking ominously at top of Schloss Roxburghe leaderboard
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... He's 'Mr Steady Eddie', as evidenced by the fact he has made it to the season-ending Rolex Grand Final three years in a row and is on course to do so again after making the cut in 15 out of 17 events on the HotelPlanner Tour this season. It will take better than his customary 67, 68 or 69, though, to get the job done in this week's Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A and Euan Walker knew that before heading out in the second circuit at Schloss Roxburghe near Kelso. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Euan Walker of Scotland prepares to play a shot on day two of the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Schloss Roxburghe near Kelso |After an opening 68, the 29-year-old Ayrshireman started the day seven shots off the lead, held by Englishman Will Enefer following his course-record effort on Thursday, and Walker reckons the winning total in the £250,000 event could be around the 20-under-par mark. After adding a 65 to his first-day 64, Spaniard Vidal Quim reached the halfway stage sitting on 13 under but also with a posse of Scots breathing down his neck. Having carded a 63, his best score of the season, Walker is on 11 under along with Daniel Young while David Law and Marc Warren are both a further shot back. 'I knew that the scoring was going to be really low and the winner is going to be close to 15 under and maybe even closer to 20 under,' said Walker, a two-time tour winner after signing for an eagle, seven birdies and one bogey in his eye-catching second-day salvo. 'I didn't go out thinking about getting to that number, more so that the cut could go to three or four under, so I thought I needed to be under par today. I was able to get to three under early on and that helped settle me a bit, especially when I was able to par the seventh, which isn't an easy task.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Measuring 520 yards, it has played as a par 5 in the past but has been changed to a par 4 for this event. 'It's not really a par 4,' observed Walker. 'If it was 40 yards forward, it would be a par 4. But it is not really a par 5 either. It would need to be another 30 yards back for it to be a par 5. 'It's that horrible in between position and I'm one of the shorter drivers of the golf ball, so it causes me even more problems than anyone else.' On a day when he had clearly more problems in general than 24 hours earlier, Enefer slipped back after having to settle for a 74, with Joshua Berry, who is leading the Road to Mallorca points battle, now just ahead of his compatriot on nine under. Marc Warren pictured during the second round of the Farmfoods Scottish Challenge supported by The R&A at Schloss Roxburghe |'The wind did pick up a little bit today and it did affect the ball quite a bit,' observed Walker. 'It probably prevents a lot of players from scoring really, really low but you still have an opportunity to have a round like I did today.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scot has narrowly missed out on securing a step up to the DP World Tour three years in a row, finishing 24th in 2022 then 26th and 25th in 2023 and 2024 respectively in the season-long standings. On the back of his consistency, he came into this event sitting 25th in this season's card battle and a strong showing on home soil would certainly be a boost heading into the remainder of the campaign. 'It would be great,' he replied to being asked about getting himself in the mix on Sunday afternoon. 'Historically, I have never played that great in the Scottish Challenge, so I have already exceeded expectations (smiling).'
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Golf icon's plea will leave 'bad taste' in Rory McIlroy's mouth after he called him out
Ernie Els has called for The Open to return to Muirfield, a course that past adversary Rory McIlroy admitted would leave him with a 'bad taste in his mouth' whenever he played there Rory McIlroy once confessed he'd be left with a sour taste whenever he teed off at Muirfield, but Ernie Els has now urged The Open to make its comeback to the Scottish venue. Muirfield was stripped from the major championship's hosting schedule in 2016. That decision was made following a contentious ballot which maintained the prohibition on female membership. Whilst this ruling was overturned just 12 months later, the harm had already been inflicted in McIlroy's view. The Open hasn't made its way back to Muirfield since being reinstated to the rota in 2017. Yet now Els, who has previously locked horns with Masters winner McIlroy, has delivered a heartfelt plea regarding the links course. "Yes, Muirfield should host [The Open] as soon as possible," the two-time Open winner told reporters at the unveiling of his Els Club Vilamoura, a new Algarve golf venue. "I'm not sure why it's not gone back there. It's been more than 10 years. Normally there is a 10-year gap between Opens at a particular course. In my view, Muirfield is up there, it's in my top three [courses]." Muirfield previously staged The Open in 2013, when Phil Mickelson secured the Claret Jug. Despite being restored to the rotation eight years ago, golf's oldest tournament has yet to make its return, reports Belfast Live. Should McIlroy's remarks from 2017 be taken into account, Northern Ireland's top golfer would probably prefer it never does, as he exclaimed: "In this day and age where you've got women who are the leaders of certain industries and heads of state, not being able to join a golf course, I think it's obscene and ridiculous. "They sort of saw sense, but I still think [the fact that] it got to this stage is horrendous. We'll go back and play the Open because they've let women members in, but every time I go to Muirfield now I won't have a great taste in my mouth." Much to McIlroy's probable dismay, R&A chief executive Mark Darbon has revealed that talks are taking place about Muirfield staging an Open Championship, with the sole obstacle being the venue's practice facilities. "We love the golf course at Muirfield," confessed Darbon. "We're in discussions with the venue right now. There are some things we need to evolve at Muirfield, the practice ground, in particular is a challenge for us with a modern Open. "There's some work to facilitate some infrastructure we need, but there's some good dialogue and we'd love to go back there in the future." It appears that both McIlroy and Els are at odds over The Open's seemingly certain comeback to Muirfield, and this isn't the first occasion both have clashed. Earlier this year, McIlroy was questioned about when he'd retire from the sport and responded bluntly to an enquiry about the Champions Tour, previously known as the Senior PGA Tour. When asked whether he'd contemplate ever competing on the aforementioned tour, McIlroy didn't hold back and declared: "Absolutely not. "I will not play Champions Tour golf. Look, I've said a lot of absolutes in my time that I've walked back, but I do not envision playing Champions Tour golf. Something has gone terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50." Els appeared to take offence at such a harsh dismissal, and he turned to social media, writing: "Interesting to read Rory McIlroy's comments today. At 35 years old I was also bullet proof saying things about not playing past 50. I'm 55 now and laughing at my comments from back then. "The Champions Tour is so fulfilling with a great bunch of players we all grew up together from junior golf. Our sponsors and partners are wonderful companies and people. Competition is a powerful tool!"
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Ruben Amorim prefers Ollie Watkins - but Man Utd make Benjamin Sesko No.1 target
Ruben Amorim would rather sign Ollie Watkins than Benjamin Sesko despite Manchester United making the latter their No.1 transfer target. The Red Devils are keen to recruit a new striker ahead of the new Premier League season and have been strongly linked to both players this summer. United's hierarchy have now decided to prioritise a move for RB Leipzig forward Sesko and are hoping to strike a deal for £60-70m plus add-ons. It's somewhat of a surprising call, given United head coach Amorim would actually prefer to sign Watkins from Aston Villa, talkSPORT have reported. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Amorim has made it clear he'd like to bring in players with Premier League experience, such as new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Watkins certainly fits that description, having proven himself as a Premier League goalscorer, unlike Sesko, who has never played in England before. But United have decided to focus on Sesko instead because they feel Watkins' price tag is too high for a player who turns 30 in December. Villa are believed to want £60m for Watkins – but United are only willing to pay up to £45m for the 29-year-old Englishman. It was quite a tough season for Leipzig last term, which forced them to change coach after a disappointing Champions League campaign. They were struggling, which reflected on Sesko's output, but he's still been one of their best and most consistent players. Sesko's strengths are certainly his physicality and speed – he's great at making dangerous runs in behind defences, but he's also a very clinical and instinctive finisher, especially when the ball drops to him in the area. His work rate is good and he's a willing runner off the ball as well. His hold-up play is quite strong, but I think his link-up play is a side of his game that he can still improve. It's not that he's bad at that side of the game, but compared to someone like Arsenal's Kai Havertz, he's not at that level. But during his young career, he's shown he can take those steps forward. His mentality is definitely a strength – he's a player who wants to learn and wants to improve so in that sense he will be a quick learner. Rune Gjerulff, German football expert and editor of Bulinews Former United defender Rio Ferdinand has been left 'worried' over United's decision to prioritise Sesko over Watkins. Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube channel, he said: 'If you get Watkins, you've got guaranteed 15-20 goals really and then you've got that with Cunha and you've got that with Mbeumo. 'Not completely guaranteed, but you've got double figures all the way up front. 'Bear in mind, we were 16th in terms of goals scored last season and these lot are getting you minimum 40 goals between them.' Sesko has played a total of 87 games for RB Leipzig across all competitions, scoring 39 goals and providing eight assists. Last season, the 22-year-old registered 21 goals and six assists across 45 games. Ferdinand is not writing off Sesko coming in and succeeding at United but believes the move would be riskier than a deal for Villa striker Watkins. Pointing to Rasmus Hojlund's struggles since arriving in English football, Ferdinand added: 'The only difference is that Rasmus came in and had inexperience around him in terms of [Alejandro] Garnacho one side and Amad [Diallo] the other, for instance, most of the time. 'If Sesko comes in, he's got two players that have played Premier League, scored goals in the Premier League and backed up by Bruno [Fernandes] so I think it's a different dynamic that he comes into. 'But the uncertainty worries me a little bit. Can he adapt to this league?' MORE: Thomas Frank sends message to Christian Norgaard over £15m Arsenal transfer MORE: Tottenham open talks to sign £43m Manchester United target MORE: Mikel Arteta slammed over 'nonsense' Pedro Porro clash after Arsenal defeat to Spurs
