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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Rory McIlroy ‘feeling love of a nation' at Royal Portrush as he reveals biggest surprise from opening round at The Open
RORY McILROY revealed he was "feeling the support of a country" after finishing his opening round at The Open. The Royal Portrush on Thursday and shot a -1 round of 70. He was cheered on by a home country crowd in Antrim, and expressed his gratitude for that support. "I feel the support of an entire country out there which is a wonderful position to be in. "At the same time, you don't want to let them down so there is that little bit of added pressure. Read More on Rory McIlroy "I felt I dealt with it very well today, certainly better than I did six years ago. "Just happy to get off to a good start and get myself into the tournament." It makes for a far better start than he endured in 2019, when McIlroy missed the cut as compatriot Both men are in contention to make the weekend six years on, with both among 12 players on -1. Most read in Golf Three shots forward, McIlroy admitted to being surprised at the low scoring in the early offing, but is glad to be so close to the leaders. Rory McIlroy explains haircut at Scottish Open He added: "I know there are a few guys on four under but I am surprised four under is leading. "I thought someone might have went out there and shot six or seven out there today. "Only three back with 54 holes to go, I am pretty happy with where I am." On Wednesday, McIlroy gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. He was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. And he admitted the chance to win Rory said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' 1 Rory McIlroy at The Open Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Paddy Power 'welcome home' McIlroy with huge cheeky sign
The Open Championship got underway at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Co. Antrim on Thursday and Rory McIlroy has been welcomed back in classic Paddy Power style. The Irish bookmaker, notorious for displaying gag signs at major sporting events, set up a massive pair of inflatable underpants at Portrush with two large golf balls sticking out at the bottom. The giant pants read: 'Welcome home, Rory. The biggest balls in golf.' McIlroy was welcomed home in classic Paddy Power style. Pic: Paddy Power Paddy Power shared the sign on social media with the message: 'Welcoming Ireland's Grand Slam champion back home. Good luck, Rory!' Rory, of course, completed his career grand slam earlier this year with a stunning performance at Augusta National in The Masters. Now, the 36-year-old is looking for another success story back in his homeland and potentially securing a second Open Championship to go along with his previous win in 2014. Rory McIlroy in action during a practice round prior to The Open. Pic:Commenting on the inflatable sign, Paddy Power said: 'Winning a career Grand Slam takes guts – or, in Rory's case, absolute balls of steel. 'We thought it was only right to honour his heroic return with something suitably enormous, unmissable, and truly entertaining. 'What better way than a pair of giant underpants and two enormous golf balls swinging in the Northern Irish breeze? If that doesn't scream 'Rory's home', we don't know what does. 'Because if anyone's earned the right to strut around with massive metaphorical stones, it's Rory McIlroy, and when he shows up swinging, so do we.' McIlroy will be looking to make up for his last Portrush outing. Pic:The Co. Down native showed off his new Green Jacket by wearing it to Portrush to collect the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. He said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' Rory got his Open Championship underway at 3.10pm on Thursday and will no doubt be watched intently by Irish fans throughout the weekend. He added: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major. 'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Rory McIlroy holds the AGW 2024 Golfer of The Year award. Pic:Pointing at his Green Jacket, Rory continued: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now. 'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Padraig Harrington goes to extreme lengths on day one of The Open as fans make Irish stereotype joke
PADRAIG Harrington didn't take any chances as regards missing his tournament-starting tee time at The Open. The two-time winner was granted the honour of getting the 153rd edition of the world's oldest tournament 3 He wound up shooting a patchy round of 75 Credit: Getty 3 The Rathfarnham native made sure he was up in plenty of time Credit: @padraig_h 3 He took the Claret Jug home in 2007 and 2008 Credit: Getty In order to make sure he was completely ready to go on the opening tee box, he set his alarm for 4am in a move typical of the eccentric golfing obsessive's nature. Alongside the photographic evidence he wrote: "Earliest wake up, so far this year." The 53-year-old has built up a huge fanbase over the years as much due to his forensic approach to studying the game as well as his many on-course feats. So the latest example of his dedication to his craft drew praise from followers around the world in many differing time zones. Read More On Irish Sport Bexley quipped: "Top of the early morning to ya!" Meanwhile someone else joked: "That's my same alarm, but to leave the pub." Lastly, Garvan amusingly commented: "An hour on the practice range beforehand?" Harrington wound up posting a four over par score of 75 for his round. That means he'll likely need a strong round on Friday to make the cut. Rory McIlroy is of course the main attraction at Royal Portrush this week. Most read in Golf Ahead of his 3.10pm tee time The sign salutes McIlroy's testicular fortitude when finally Inside Wendy Lowry's 'beautiful' day out at Portrush with golf WAGs as she cheers Shane on at The Open The cheeky Irish bookmaker doffed their cap to Paddy Power himself commented: 'Winning a career Grand Slam takes guts – or, in Rory's case, absolute balls of steel. "We thought it was only right to honour his heroic return with something suitably enormous, unmissable, and truly entertaining. "What better way than a pair of giant underpants and two enormous golf balls swinging in the Northern Irish breeze? If that doesn't scream 'Rory's home', we don't know what does.' "Because if anyone's earned the right to strut around with massive metaphorical stones, it's Rory McIlroy, and when he shows up swinging, so do we." GREEN SCENE The five-time Major winner gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. McIlroy, 36, said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' McIlroy was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. He He said: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major. "It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Pointing at his Green Jacket for winning The Masters, he said: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now. Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Inside Wendy Lowry's ‘beautiful' day out with other golf WAGs before cheering Shane on at The Open
WENDY Lowry savoured a "beautiful morning" exploring the scenic sights Antrim has to offer before The Open teed off on Thursday. She was joined by fellow 8 Wendy captioned this snap 'Beautiful morning' Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 Kate (left) and Clare (middle) are the wives of Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood respectively Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 Here Wendy joked 'Can you cope with this weather' Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 The trio were accompanied by their children who loved dipping their toes into the water Credit: @wendyirislowry Padraig Harrington Ahead of his 3.10pm tee time The sign salutes McIlroy's testicular fortitude when finally The cheeky Irish bookmaker doffed their cap to Read More On Irish Sport Paddy Power himself commented: 'Winning a career Grand Slam takes guts – or, in Rory's case, absolute balls of steel. "We thought it was only right to honour his heroic return with something suitably enormous, unmissable, and truly entertaining. "What better way than a pair of giant underpants and two enormous golf balls swinging in the Northern Irish breeze? If that doesn't scream 'Rory's home', we don't know what does.' "Because if anyone's earned the right to strut around with massive metaphorical stones, it's Rory McIlroy, and when he shows up swinging, so do we." Most read in Golf The five-time Major winner gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. McIlroy, 36, said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'People's champ' Bryson DeChambeau delights Open fans with classy gesture as they say 'how can you not love this guy?' 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' McIlroy was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. He McIlroy also wants to make amends for his Portrush Open flop in 2019 when he missed the cut. 8 Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is a renowned landmark in the Ballintoy area Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 Wendy shared this wide shot to give an idea of how scary it was to cross it Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 Ballintoy Harbour is also a charming sight Credit: @wendyirislowry 8 Shane of course won the competition the last time it was held at Royal Portrush in 2019 Credit: @wendyirislowry He said: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major. 'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Pointing at his Green Jacket for winning The Masters, he said: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now. 'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Paddy Power erect VERY cheeky sign outside Portrush aimed at Rory McIlroy as he tees off at The Open
PADDY Power have made a ballsy move by erecting a giant pair of underpants outside Royal Portrush as The Open tees off. The sign salutes local lad Rory McIlroy's testicular fortitude when finally Advertisement 3 He's been proudly wearing his Green Jacket around Portrush this week Credit: Getty 3 Paddy Power, however, focused on his lower body for the sake of this stunt 3 The 36-year-old finished second in last week's Scottish Open Credit: Getty In case you're not quite able to read out its giant lettering, it reads; "Welcome home Rory, the biggest balls in golf." The cheeky Irish bookmaker doffed their cap to Paddy Power himself commented: 'Winning a career Grand Slam takes guts – or, in Rory's case, absolute balls of steel. "We thought it was only right to honour his heroic return with something suitably enormous, unmissable, and truly entertaining. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport "What better way than a pair of giant underpants and two enormous golf balls swinging in the Northern Irish breeze? If that doesn't scream 'Rory's home', we don't know what does.' "Because if anyone's earned the right to strut around with massive metaphorical stones, it's Rory McIlroy, and when he shows up swinging, so do we." The five-time Major winner gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. McIlroy, 36, said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. Advertisement Most read in Golf 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' McIlroy, who starts his bid for Open glory at 3.10pm today, was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. 'People's champ' Bryson DeChambeau delights Open fans with classy gesture as they say 'how can you not love this guy?' He McIlroy also wants to make amends for his Portrush Open flop in 2019 when he missed the cut. Advertisement He said: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major. 'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Pointing at his Green Jacket for winning The Masters, he said: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now. 'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.' Advertisement
