Lions legend Mike Gibson: ‘I'm missing the first Test to marshal at the Open'

Telegraph

16-07-2025

It is a fair bet that most of the fans who have crowded into the grandstand behind the 13th tee box at Royal Portrush during Open practice this week will not have recognised the distinguished, white-haired marshal who has been operating beneath them day after day; diligently directing players, lifting ropes, keeping spectators at bay.
But Rory McIlroy did. Playing in a practice round on Monday morning, McIlroy walked right up to the gentleman and greeted him warmly, much to the surprise of onlookers.
It was in fact arguable which of the two was the bigger sporting icon.
In one of those great quirks of sport which happen from time to time, it turns out that Mike Gibson – the Irish rugby legend – is marshalling at the 13th hole here at Portrush, this week of all weeks. Just as the British and Irish Lions he represented in five tours (a record he holds jointly with fellow Northern Irishman Willie John McBride) are about to get their Test series under way in Brisbane on Saturday.
'I'm not actually going to get to watch the Test match,' he tells Telegraph Sport after getting permission from his 'hole controller' Blake to come and speak with me for 10 minutes on Wednesday afternoon. 'Kick off is at 11am and I'm on duty on Saturday from 9am until 2.30pm!'
Gibson is actually relaxed about missing the game. He is not pulling rank or attempting to switch places with anyone on the marshal rota. Although he still loves his rugby, and says his 'stomach still ties up in knots' whenever he watches the players take to the field, at 82 years of age, this is his first time at an Open Championship, and he is absolutely loving it.
A lifelong fan of golf, Gibson still plays regularly at Royal Belfast Golf Club, who are providing the volunteer marshals for the 13th hole this week (each hole on the course is the responsibility of a different club to marshal). Gibson is marshalling together with his son, Colin, a former back-row forward for Gloucester Rugby, and he says he is inspired by what he sees.
'We amateurs like to say that we play golf,' he enthuses. 'But we're not. We're kidding ourselves. It's a completely different game these guys play! The skill level is just unbelievable. It's a pleasure to watch them up close.'
Rugby fans of a certain vintage would no doubt have said the same about Gibson. A player of incredible skill and versatility, Gibson played for his country in four different positions, although it is undoubtedly as a centre he is best remembered. In total, he racked up 69 caps for Ireland and another 12 for the Lions, forming a famous midfield combination with captain John Dawes on the successful 1971 tour of New Zealand, which remains the Lions' sole series victory over the All Blacks. Willie John McBride considers Gibson the greatest Irish player he ever watched.
Gibson becomes misty-eyed as he recalls those glorious days. 'Sadly we're losing a few of the boys now,' he says, referring to Scottish prop Ian McLauchlan, who died last month, as well as his compatriot Tony O'Reilly and Wales legends Barry John and JPR Willams, all of whom have passed away in the last couple of years. But the memories live on.
'Playing with Barry John, oh it was a joy. He had this incredible self-belief. He wasn't risky. He made good decisions. But he had total self-belief. And belief in his team-mates, too. If you called to him to spin you the ball, he would trust you. And Gareth Edwards inside him, of course. On the outside Dave Duckham. And on the other side Gerald Davies. Not bad options! Then JPR would step into the line. He was indestructible. Goodness me.'
But it is the golf Gibson is here for this week. And about which he is most keen to speak. The game formed a big part of those tours, he says, recalling a memorable fourball he and team-mates Gareth Edwards and Gordon Brown played with South Africa's three-time Open champion Gary Player on the 1974 'Invincibles' tour of South Africa.
'Gary was Open champion that year [at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club]. He invited us back to his home afterwards. He was so good to us, he really was. I've got a picture of us somewhere, posing with his Claret Jug.'
A six-handicapper in his prime, Gibson says he 'just walks around a bit now', mostly enjoying the game vicariously through his children, Colin and Jan (who played hockey for Ireland) who 'both smash the ball past him'.
'Don't believe him,' Colin chips in. 'We played nine holes on Saturday. From 100 yards in he is still absolutely lethal!'
'I have to get to within 100 yards first is the problem,' he laughs back.
While Gibson hopes the Lions get off to a winning start on Saturday, he will equally be keeping his fingers crossed that McIlroy can pull off a famous home victory come Sunday.
'I've known him a long time,' he explains. 'It was lovely that he came and said hello the other day. I've been very friendly with Rory since he was a wee boy. I'd know his coach Michael Bannon, too, and his caddie Harry Diamond. Oh yes, it's a small world out here.
'But Rory is special. I remember him on the range even back then. Rory would be driving it absolutely miles. He is a lovely, lovely person. He's done so much for Ireland, for Northern Ireland, for Holywood, for the course he learnt to play at, for his parents… So I'm definitely supporting him this week.'
What an atmosphere it would be if he could pull it off. The irony is, Gibson will not be there if he does. As with the Lions Test he is missing on Saturday morning, duty calls. 'I have to drive Colin to the airport,' he explains, before adding with a twinkle: 'But what's this 'if' he does it? When he does it.'