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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Rory McIlroy more at peace with his mind and his game on return to Royal Portrush
It's become de rigeur to parse every syllable, every tilt of the head and shrug of the shoulders, when Rory McIlroy holds court. Somehow, this hasn't changed much, if at all, since he completed his career Grand Slam at Augusta in April. The 36-year-old has struggled to centre himself since achieving that lifetime ambition at the Masters and, of course, his decision to swerve more than a few media duties since sent the association of amateur psychologists and the body language industry into tailspins. We'll keep the pop psychology short here. McIlroy exuded a sense of peace on Monday afternoon. He chuckled a few times and folded his arms loosely as he gave his usual erudite and considered takes on the world of Rory and the universe of opinions and oceans of fascination that whirl about it. The pressure is off, one questioner said breezily. 'Is it?' McIlroy laughed. 'Is the pressure off?' This ease was already apparent on the course earlier in the morning when, with golf clubs around the province providing different stewards on every hole, he delighted in seeing so many familiar faces on what is a rare competitive outing for him in these parts. Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions legend Mike Gibson was among the other blasts from the past to sidle up and spend a brief moment with a man whose only step back from it all came when he was asked about being Ulster's best ever sportsperson. So much of Monday's media spooled back on the past. How could it not? He was asked again about setting the course record 61 for these Dunluce Links as a 16-year old back in 2006 and, inevitably, of his memories from 2019 when he hit THAT tee shot, an opening quadruple bogey, carded a 79 and ultimately missed the cut. He had absorbed this brand of Ulster love before, at Irish Opens here in Portrush, in Royal County Down and at Portstewart, but this was worship inflated again by a fervent expectation and a yearning that ultimately worked against him. That Thursday exists as a blur in his mind now but he does remember the roar of the crowd when he hit a six-iron to the 14th green on day two when chasing a score that might curb the worst of his opening 79 and give him a shot at the weekend. All that is informing his approach this week. 'I guess it's just something I didn't mentally prepare for that day or that week, but I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is controlling myself and controlling that battle. 'I talked about it at the Masters on that last day. The battle on that last day wasn't with Augusta National. It wasn't with Bryson [DeChambeau]. It wasn't with Justin Rose. The battle that day was with myself. 'Whenever you get put in environments like that, that's basically what it is. It's you trying to overcome your mind and trying to give yourself that clarity to give yourself the best chance to put together a really good performance.' There's no doubt but that McIlroy put far too much pressure on himself six years ago. Shane Lowry shared here how his friend had declared that 2019 Open to be the biggest tournament he would likely ever play in the days beforehand. But the past can be overplayed. McIlroy, when asked to go back over that 61 in '06, framed it in the context of how TrackMans weren't even a thing back then, and added that the very course itself has been altered significantly since. Time moves on, so has he. Ultimately, this is all academic, conjecture and fluff designed to keep us occupied before the first tee on Thursday. More integral to the question as to what McIlroy might do at an Open here second time around is his current form. Finishing joint second at the Genesis Scottish Open reaffirmed a return to something approaching his best when paired with his previous effort in ending in a tie for sixth at the Travelers Championship in late June. And his readiness was obvious when landing in Portrush at 1am on Monday so that he could take to the course at 7am on the back of just four hours sleep in and get some prep in before the circus that is The Open got into full swing. 'I'm certainly encouraged by how I've played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland. I think the two weeks off after the Travelers just to reset, to get over here, a bit of a change of scenery, has been really nice. 'When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably, I don't know, circled, even more so than the Masters for different reasons. It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year. 'I'm excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs last week. I feel like I'm in a good spot and had… Not that last week was a pure preparation week, but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here.'
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Major winners Schauffele, Spieth and Thomas practise together
There was serious pedigree in the practice three-ball of Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, who boast a combined seven major wins. Schauffele, of course, is the defending champion this week, while Spieth won the Open title at Royal Birkdale in 2017. Thomas is yet to find the winning formula in golf's oldest championship, although his best Open finish to date came on this property in 2019 (tied 11th). Spieth attracts plenty of interest wherever he goes and it's no different around the Dunluce Links. He spent a good chunk of time signing autographs for his legions of fans.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Huge crowds gather for McIlroy's practice round
Golf fans descended in great numbers on Monday morning to catch Rory McIlroy's first practice round at Royal Portrush ahead of this week's Open. Having arrived in Northern Ireland late on Sunday after missing out on a second Scottish Open title, McIlroy was out early for his first look at the Dunluce dramatic career Grand Slam-clinching Masters win in April has raised expectations that the 36-year-old can win the Claret Jug on home soil after missing the cut in 2019. The world number two - who won his Open title at Hoylake in 2014 - delighted the sizeable galleries on Monday morning, holing a birdie putt on the 18th green before signing autographs for 15 minutes. McIlroy is due to speak to the media at 14:00 BST on Monday, followed by 2019 champion Shane Lowry at 15:00 BST.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Rory McIlroy takes time for fans after surprise early start while Shane Lowry out on the course
8 minutes ago An omen as Rory takes times for fans? After taking plenty of time round the 18th green to assess the run-off area left of the green and how the ball would react to the slope, Rory was straight over to a huge group of young (and some not-so-young) fans with Open flags to sign. One group even had an Ulster Banner with logos of the four majors on it for Rory to put his mark on. He took a good look before picking The Open corner to sign. An omen for the week ahead? He certainly makes time for his fans - he was there for 15 minutes, signing as many as he could. While in 2019, there was Tiger here and hometown hero Graeme McDowell, it feels like Grand Slam winner Rory is the only show in town for the local fans this week. Adam McKendry The 2019 champion is here Shane Lowry has been spotted on the premises. The only player to win an Open at Royal Portrush since 1951, the Offaly man is playing a practice round with Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard, the pair having reached the par-five seventh. He opted not to play in the Scottish Open last week and get an early reacquaintance with the Dunluce Links instead - how much will that benefit him? 32 minutes ago One hole to go Rory McIlroy is about to play the 18th hole in his practice round and the crowds have now fully caught onto the fact that the Masters champion is on the course - and they let out a roar of delight as he hits a beautiful approach into the final green and holes the putt for a birdie! Come Sunday, he will hope his walk towards the huge stand is a lap of honour en route to lifting the Claret Jug... 39 minutes ago Tour star ready for his 'favourite links golf course' Robert MacIntyre didn't have a great time at his home tournament, the Scottish Open, over the weekend as the defending champion finished 17 shots off eventual winner Chris Gotterup - but he was full of praise for Royal Portrush ahead of making his second appearance at the Dunluce Links. 'I didn't really have anything go my way. Every time I went into a bunker, I was up to the edge of a lip," said MacIntyre of his Scottish Open display. "Now on to probably my favourite links golf course in the world. It definitely won't be as bouncy, so I'm looking forward to that." There is one thing the Scot, who finished tied-sixth in 2019, isn't looking forward to, though: the boat crossing from Cairnryan to Belfast! 'I'm not a boat guy,' he confessed. 'Maybe a jet-ski, but I don't fancy the ropey waters much.' Today 09:23 AM Gareth Hanna Coming to Portrush for The Open? If you're not a local and want a steer on what to do and where to do it, here's a handy guide. In Portrush for The Open? Here's where to eat, drink and have great craic As excitement builds in Portrush for The Open, we take a look at what else the area has to offer visitors. Today 09:11 AM Gareth Hanna On the putting green Speaking of fan favourites, the 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama is on the putting green now. Today 09:07 AM Gareth Hanna A mole in the camp? Out walking round the course with Rory this morning is his Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland's caddy Shay Knight. Today 09:06 AM Gareth Hanna Surprise fan favourite? Out on the 11th now is Japanese star Mikiya Akatsu. The world number 366 booked his Open ticket by winning the recent Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour. He was here yesterday, playing on his own and he really made the most of his first day at Royal Portrush coming up the 18th. He was recording a video on his phone and encouraging the fans in the stand to wave. He went down a storm! Today 08:52 AM Gareth Hanna One lucky young fan They say the early bird catches the worm - and that's certainly the case for this young fan who was out in the rainy conditions early this morning to watch his hero... who made his trip very worthwhile! Today 08:50 AM What did Rory say after the Scottish Open? He finished second last night, two shots behind Chris Gotterup, but was confident the week's efforts had him well set up for a strong showing here. "I'm really happy with where my game is, the way I played over the weekend, the shots that I hit, how I controlled my ball flight," he said, having claimed earlier in the week that he was back to 'near Masters level'. "I'm looking forward to getting to Portrush tonight, getting out onto the golf course and just turning my attention to that. 'But I feel like I've got out of this week everything that I wanted. Everything is in a really good spot and I'm happy with how my game progressed as the week went on.' Today 08:28 AM Gareth Hanna On the course with Rors 'Rory's on the 11th green now - his first putt nearly dropped. With the second putt he played a touch of snooker to knock the first ball in. Ronnie O'Sullivan eat your heart out! Steven Beacom Today 08:26 AM Gareth Hanna How's Rory getting on? He's out there with his lifelong coach Michael Bannon and is taking his time on the greens. That may have something to do with the change from the greens at The Renaissance Club at the Scottish Open, where a video yesterday appeared to show him calling the putting surfaces a not-very-nice four letter word. Today 08:19 AM What are the tee-times to look out for later? Some names to note that are currently down on the tee sheet. These are subject to change and more names may well be added as the day goes on: 10:12am: Matteo Manassero (Hole 1) 10:36am: Keegan Bradley, Patrick Cantlay (Hole 1) 11:36am: Scottie Scheffler (Hole 10) 11:48am: Tony Finau (Hole 10) 12:36pm: Xander Schauffele (Hole 10) 12:48pm: Sepp Straka (Hole 1) 1.36pm: Rickie Fowler (Hole 1) Today 08:13 AM Gareth Hanna Who else is on the course? The 2019 champion Shane Lowry is now on the second alongside Rasmus Højgaard, while Keegan Bradley and Viktor Hovland are on the practice putting green. Today 07:58 AM Gareth Hanna Rory on the course There was a surprise early start for Rory McIlroy, who was on the course from around 7am despite his late second-placed finish at the Scottish Open last night. He's on the ninth now and scheduled to tee off on the tenth shortly, for any fans just arriving who want to catch him. Today 07:56 AM Gareth Hanna Welcome to our coverage of The Open Championship We'll be here across the week to bring you updates from Royal Portrush, through practice days on Monday to Wednesday and then the tournament itself.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Open 2025: The five Irish players who will tee it up at Royal Portrush
Rory McIlroy World Ranking : 2 Age : 36 Open appearances : 15 Best finish : 1st (2014) READ MORE Rory McIlroy on day one at Royal Portrush on July 18th, 2019. Photograph: EPA McIlroy is heading back to the Dunluce links on a mission. He missed the cut in 2019 – when he started off with a quadruple bogey eight on the first hole – and comes in on the back of a brilliant win in the US Masters , which enabled him to complete the career Grand Slam and, in doing so, end a 15-year drought in the Majors. McIlroy has enjoyed a great season so far, with three wins on the PGA Tour: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Players and the Masters. Has yet to regain the early-season form that saw him dominate the US circuit but should have that fire and focus back for this one. Odds : 15/2 Shane Lowry World Ranking : 18 Age : 38 Open appearances : 12 Best finish : 1st (2019) A mural of Shane Lowry holding the Claret Jug on the side of a house in Portrush. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien/The Irish Times A giant mural of Lowry has adorned the gable of a house in Portrush since his triumph in 2019, which – in itself – shows the impact the Offaly man's win in the 148th Open on the championship's return to the Dunluce links had on the community. That win remains the high point of Lowry's career. This season on the PGA Tour has seen Lowry claim four top-10s (including runners-up finishes in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Truist) but also miss cuts at both the US PGA and the US Open. He hasn't played since the Memorial Tournament and skipped the Genesis Scottish Open to instead play links golf – including Portrush, Baltray and Portmarnock – as part of his preparations. Odds : 22/1 Tom McKibbin World Ranking : 139 Age : 22 Open appearances : 1 Best finish : Tied-66 (2024) Tom McKibbin of Legion XIII on day one of LIV Golf Korea in Incheon, South Korea, on May 2nd. Photograph: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Has made a number of advance visits to Portrush in recent months and comes in under the radar. McKibbin owes his place in the field to his top-20 finish on last season's DP World Tour Race to Dubai order of merit. He also earned a PGA Tour card which he forfeited on making the lucrative move to join Jon Rahm's Legion XIII team. McKibbin has only made three appearances in Majors in his career – making the cut at last year's US Open and Open and this year's US PGA – but seems very much at home in such company. Odds : 125/1 Pádraig Harrington World Ranking : 579 Age : 53 Open appearances : 27 Best finish : 1st (2007,2008) Pádraig Harrington at Royal Portrush in July 2019. Photograph: Oisín Keniry/Inpho The Dubliner has somehow managed to juggle playing on three different tours so far this season – taking in the Middle East Swing on the DP World Tour, playing in Mexico and Texas on the PGA Tour and primarily focusing on the Champions Tour – but clearly retaining the fire of old. Harrington's win in the US Senior Open last month affirmed his competitive instincts are very much alive. Is swinging the club faster and harder than at any stage of his career, which is a tribute to his physical regime. We could see that old stare of his back. Odds : 110/1 Darren Clarke World Ranking : 2,064 Age : 56 Open appearances : 32 Best finish : 1st (2011) Darren Clarke during the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club in July 2019. Photograph: Ian Walton/Reuters Back at home for what will certainly be an emotional appearance for the veteran who – due to his win at Sandwich in 2011 – is exempt into the Open up to when he is 60. Will this potentially be his last one, however? Clarke only confirmed he would be playing on this occasion following his win alongside Thomas Bjorn in the two-man team event at the American Family Insurance Championship on the Champions Tour. Odds : 1,000/1
