Latest news with #GeneSarazen
Epoch Times
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Gene Sarazen: The Life of ‘The Squire'
Charismatic, lively, and outstandingly driven, Gene Sarazen exemplified the soul and spirit of his era. Coinciding with the mass production of automobiles, the introduction of sound in movies, and the expansion of electrical recordings and radio, Sarazen was a household name equivalent to Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig. In 1932, he was voted the Associated Press Athlete of the Year, winning over them both. An inventor and lifelong ambassador of the game, his improbable shot in 1935—dubbed the 'Shot Heard Round the World'—endures as the pinnacle of the sport's legend. The Self-Taught 'Squire' Born in 1902 as Eugenio Saraceni in 'a small Italian colony,' north of New York City, 'midway between Rye and Harrison, New York,' his father, Federico Saraceni, was an Italian immigrant carpenter. His father was said to be displeased with his son's chosen profession, although Eugenio posted a steady string of successes as a golfer, amassing great interest from fans and colleagues. Saraceni returned to Italy to retire after the death of his wife.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rory McIlroy goes full sicko mode to prepare for the Open Championship
The post Rory McIlroy goes full sicko mode to prepare for the Open Championship appeared first on ClutchPoints. The season's fourth major of the year is finally here. The 2025 Open Championship, being held at Royal Portrush, is bringing the world's best golfers to Northern Ireland. That happens to be the home nation of World No. 2 Rory McIlroy. McIlroy is fresh off a runner-up finish at the Genesis Scottish Open in nearby Scotland. One might think 72 holes of mostly successful golf warranted some rest. But that is apparently not how McIlroy sees it. Less than 12 hours after finishing up at the Renaissance Club, the five-time major winner was seen teeing off at the site of The Open. He did so on just four hours of sleep, too, hitting up the first tee at Royal Portrush at 7 am local time, according to ESPN. Three months ago, McIlroy completed his lifelong goal of winning the career grand slam. He finally captured the title at Augusta National, winning his first Masters Tournament. That came on the heels of the best start to a season in his illustrious career. McIlroy had already won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the PLAYERS Championship. But following his Masters' mastery, he seemed to have checked out mentally. McIlroy even acknowledged that he was struggling to find motivation after becoming just the sixth man to complete the grand slam. Only Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods had previously accomplished that feat. But a trip to the UK was just what the Irishman needed. He fell just short of Chris Gotterup at the Scottish Open, tying for second. It was his best finish since the Masters. Now his sights are set on his home track, where McIlroy once set the course record as a teenager. Early preparation or not, winning his second Open Championship is not going to be easy. Scottie Scheffler is, of course, the favorite. Scheffler notched his 10th consecutive top 10 finish last week at the Scottish Open. Xander Schauffele appears to be past his injury issues and is regaining form at the right time. Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau are always threats to take home the title. And there are many more from LIV Golf that present a threat. But no one knows this course as well as Rory McIlroy. Will he add another major to his resume and tie Phil Mickelson on the all-time list? Only time will tell. Related: Rory McIlroy drops Masters truth bomb about The Open Related: Former NHL star Joe Pavelski almost speechless after winning American Century Championship
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rory McIlroy drops Masters truth bomb about The Open
The post Rory McIlroy drops Masters truth bomb about The Open appeared first on ClutchPoints. PGA Tour fan favorite Rory McIlroy made history earlier this year. The Northern Irishman joined Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods as the only players to complete the career grand slam. He did so by capturing the Masters Tournament title back in April. It was an accomplishment more than a decade in the making. He had already won the other three majors, with the most recent back in 2014. But if you thought that McIlroy had the Masters circled on his 2025 calendar, you would have been wrong. The Open Championship is this week and will be hosted in his home nation of Northern Ireland. That adds an element that moved this year's Open to the top of his list. 'When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was circled, even more so than the Masters,' McIlroy said following his practice round, per ESPN. 'I've done something that I've told everyone that I wanted to do, but then it's like I still feel like I have a lot more to give … I still feel like there's a lot left in there. The story certainly isn't over.' Rory McIlroy Returns Home as the Masters Champion Returning to his home course as the reigning Masters champion is a bit surreal for the five-time major champion. 'The fact that I'm here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream, I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way and enjoy the reaction of the fans and enjoy being in front of them and playing in front of them,' said McIlroy. 'But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I'm very capable of doing that.' The World No. 2 is certainly capable of earning the honor of being named the Champion Golfer of the Year (a title bestowed upon The Open winner). After all, at just 16 years old, McIlroy set the course record at Royal Portrush (61). He knows this track as well as anyone in the field this week. But that does not automatically translate to success. The last time the Open Championship was hosted at Royal Portrush was in 2019. McIlroy carded a snowman on his first hole on his way to missing the cut. But unlike six years ago, Rory McIlroy is planning a different approach this time around. 'I think in '19, I probably tried to isolate,' said McIlroy. 'And I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it.' But with a star-studded field including who is considered the be the best player since Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, it will be far from easy. Related: Rory McIlroy goes full sicko mode to prepare for the Open Championship Related: Former NHL star Joe Pavelski almost speechless after winning American Century Championship
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rory McIlroy, sporting a new haircut, warns rivals his hunger is back in time for the Open
Rory McIlroy has taken a razor to his hair and resharpened his focus. The world No 2 goes into his first home event since winning the Masters warning his rivals that his strange two-month malaise is over and that his major ambition has returned. The 36-year-old is teeing it up in the first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday with a new, severe crop and while the transformation in style might raise a few eyebrows, his many admirers will be delighted to hear him sound like the McIlroy of old. They can thank his trip back across the pond for that welcome resurgence. 'We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and been since trying to settle in and it's amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you, and sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while,' he said at the Renaissance club. 'Yeah, it's been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year. Obviously we have this week in Scotland and then a massive week next week [for the Open] in Portrush.' McIlroy cut a bizarrely lacklustre figure at both the US PGA and US Open, as he struggled to come to terms with the magnitude of ending his 11-year major drought and finally joining Ben Hogan, Gene Sarazen, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tiger Woods in the career grand slam pantheon. He acknowledged that he was lacking motivation and even went as far at the US Open to declare he did not care if he made the cut. Yet after a chat with fellow Wentworth resident Justin Rose on a private jet to the East Lothian layout on Tuesday, he realised that the return to the United Kingdom has been vital for his mental well-being and his motivation. 'There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here and Justin and I were talking about that,' he said. 'You play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year and you need to completely get away from it - because this world of golf can become all-encompassing. In this last fortnight, I felt like I could detach and sort of hide in a way. I needed that. My game needed that.' Home has relit the fire and he intends to be raging hot when he plays in the season's last major in his native Northern Ireland. 'Look, I don't want the Masters to be my last great moment in the game,' he said. 'There's plenty more I can do. I feel like I've kept banging on this drum all year, but I'm a better player now than I ever have been. And there's so many opportunities that lie ahead - whether that's Portrush next week or The Open going back to St Andrews or a US Open at Pebble Beach. There are all these great venues that all the greats have won on - and I'd love to add my name to those lists.' McIlroy is clearly delighted to be back on the links at a venue where he won two years ago. It is a fine field co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour with 30 of the world's top 50 in the field, including world No 1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Bob MacIntyre. McIlroy plays with Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland and the 2024 Open winner, Xander Schauffele.
Belfast Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Who is Rory McIlroy and what is golf's Career Grand Slam?
Rory McIlroy has joined an illustrious group of just six golfers to have won all four major championships. Following in the footsteps of Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, McIlroy's win at The Masters 2025 earned his place amongst golfing royalty. This is his story so far. Video by Paula Dono Rodriguez and Julieann Tsang. Voiceover by Olivia Peden.
