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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler's relationship clear to see with apology and wife joke
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been the dominant forces in golf in recent years but the golf icons share a healthy mutual respect and admiration off the course Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler may have spent a chunk of the 2025 golf season fiercely competing, but their respect for one another goes far. The pair have enjoyed an impressive year. Scheffler, 29, recently secured his fourth major, and second of 2025, with victory in the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. Meanwhile, McIlroy, 36, completed his career Grand Slam in April by claiming the Masters for the first time. Despite their rivalry, the pair share a history of good-natured banter and mutual respect, reports Belfast Live. McIlroy even predicted Scheffler's recent triumph at The Open. From cheeky remarks about prison sentences to quips about Scheffler's wife, and even a meeting between McIlroy and his rival's mum and dad, Mirror Sport takes a closer look at the friendship between Scheffler and McIlroy. McIlroy praises "different level" Scheffler McIlroy voiced his respect for Scheffler after the world No. 1's breathtaking display at Portrush, with the Holywood star trailing seven shots behind the victorious Scheffler. "I wish I had have been closer to Scottie going into today and been able to make a real push but he's been on a different level all week and he's been on a different level for the last two years to the rest of us," said McIlroy. "None of us could live with what he had this week. He is the bar that we're all trying to get to at this point, so hats off to him. "In a historical context, you could argue that there's only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have been on a run, the one that Scottie's been on here for the last 24 to 36 months. Incredibly impressive. "He's been absolutely amazing over these past two to three years. He's an unbelievable player, an incredible champion and a great person too." Scheffler's US Open response The mutual admiration flows in both directions. Following McIlroy's heartbreaking defeat at the US Open last year, where he was pipped to the post by Bryson DeChambeau, the New Jersey-born Scheffler chose not to flood his mate with texts, instead allowing him space to come to terms with the crushing loss. "As far as reaching out to Rory, I didn't," Scheffler said in July 2024. "He took the next week off at The Travelers [championship] and it seemed to me like he wanted his space and so just felt like giving us his space was the best thing to do." McIlroy's words for Scheffler's parents Their respect runs so deep that McIlroy even made time for Scheffler's mum and dad. In August 2022, McIlroy claimed the FedEx Cup for a third time in his career to beat Scheffler to the prize. After departing the 18th, McIlroy bumped into Scheffler's parents, Scott and Diane. With typical class, the Northern Irish superstar told the couple that their son "deserved" the triumph following a campaign that also saw him claim three PGA Tour victories and his maiden major at the Masters. "I'm sorry," McIlroy said. "He deserves it. He's had an unbelievable year." Scheffler's father replied: "So did you. Good playing". Diane also commended McIlroy. Scheffler on McIlroy's Masters triumph Scheffler paid McIlroy the ultimate compliment by assisting him into the prestigious green jacket following his Masters victory this year. Speaking afterwards, Scheffler praised the 2025 champion. "In that moment, like it was such an emotional day for him, I kind of just tried to stay out of the way and basically get the jacket on without embarrassing him or myself," Scheffler told reporters. "It was brilliant to witness Rory finally get over the line. Certainly from the outside it appeared more like relief than anything else. Rory has achieved everything in the sport of golf, and that was truly the final piece of the puzzle for him." McIlroy's jail crack Scheffler may be the planet's top golfer, but his reputation took a temporary hit following an incident in which, during one morning in 2024, while trying to reach Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, for the PGA Championship, officers claim he unlawfully drove around a crash scene. He faced charges and had his police mugshot taken before ultimately being freed. Scheffler subsequently described the episode as a "big misunderstanding." Nevertheless, McIlroy completely understood the situation and couldn't help but tease Scheffler about the embarrassing episode. After Xander Schauffele's victory, McIlroy commented on Scheffler's T8 finish: "The fact that the only thing that took him from winning a golf tournament was going into a jail cell for an hour." Scheffler hit back after McIlroy's wife jibe Scheffler had a witty response to McIlroy's comments over a hand injury that kept Scheffler out of action at the turn of the year. The 29-year-old cut himself on a broken wine glass while cooking ravioli on Christmas Day and missed the opening two events of the PGA Tour. McIlroy queried: "Like, why are you cooking yourself? I was hoping it was going to be more of a fun story than that. It's good that he's tearing it up this week, but yeah, get a chef." Never to let McIlroy have the last word, Scheffler later hit back: "I got a chef. Her name is Meredith [Scheffler's wife]. She's pretty cute." However, word on whether Meredith found the jibe funny isn't clear.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
Rory McIlroy and his alma mater's key role in the formation of Irish education
In the extensive media coverage of Rory McIlroy's, ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to win the Open at Royal Portrush and his recent Master's triumph, it was sometimes mentioned that he is a former pupil of Sullivan Upper School in Holywood, Co Down. You may even have heard that the school was particularly supportive of young McIlroy's early career and with the understanding and authority of his school principal, he was allowed extensive absence from school to allow him to take part in many golf tournaments around the world. However, it is not widely known or appreciated that Rory's alma mater takes its name from Dr Robert Sullivan who was a significant figure in the history of education in Ireland. Robert Sullivan's father, Daniel, is thought to have come from Co Kerry to take up a post in the revenue service in Holywood and Robert was born there on January 3rd, 1800. READ MORE His father left home and left Robert and his three brothers to be brought up in relative poverty by their mother Mary (nee McClement). Robert excelled at school and was given a free place in 1819 at the Academical Institution in Belfast. This establishment survives to this day as the Royal Belfast Academical Institution or 'Inst'. The story goes that, at least for a time, he walked the eight miles or so there and back daily from his home in Holywood. After leaving Belfast he seems to have worked as a private tutor at Tyrrel's Park in Co Westmeath, Thurles and Dublin and earned enough money to send some back to his mother in Holywood. Then he went on to study law at Trinity College Dublin in 1824 and graduated in 1829 obtaining an MA in 1832. The national system of education in Ireland was established in 1831 by ministerial directive under the auspices of the then Irish chief secretary, Lord Stanley. A board of commissioners of national education was set up and schools associated with the board were to be known as national schools. In 1832 Robert Sullivan was appointed as one of the four inspectors of schools for Ireland, with responsibility for Ulster. Sullivan fully subscribed to the principle of non-sectarian or non-denominational education introduced by the Stanley reforms. He saw the role of the teacher as crucial in countering the prejudice and intolerance found in society Soon after taking up his post as school inspector, Sullivan observed a great deficiency in the availability of suitable textbooks used in the national schools. He then began, to write a number of school textbooks himself, including subjects such as geography, English and also published a dictionary,. The books were initially declined by the commissioners of education and then, when published on his own account, were sold to the board of education at a reduced price. In 1868, the year of Sullivan's death, his books were selling at a rate of a quarter of a million copies per year. In 1838, Sullivan accepted the position of professor of teacher training at the board's training college in Marlborough Street, Dublin and concurrently as superintendent of the central model schools beside the college. In these roles up to 1868, Sullivan exercised a great influence on teachers and teaching practices throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. After his death, his executors carried out his instructions to distribute a portion of the £45,000 he had accrued from his years of work and sale of his textbooks. About £4,000 went to the existing national schools in Holywood which later merged with another school to form Holywood Primary school which continues to serve the town today. The original building, now restored and refurbished, still exists in the main street of Holywood and is home to the town library. A further £8,000 to £9,000 was left at the discretion of the trustees to promote national or unsectarian education in Holywood. This was used to set up the Sullivan Upper School for older children in 1877 and moved to its present site at the western edge of the town in 1939. As part of Sullivan's non-sectarian legacy, the board of governors of the school included representatives from all the churches in Holywood at the time and indeed still does. Today, the current Sullivan Upper School is a successful and highly regarded non-denominational Voluntary Grammar School with about 1200 students and an associated Prep School of about 200. It takes its name from its great benefactor as well as the Sullivan family coat of arms and its motto, which makes it, if not the only school, then one of the very few, to have a motto in Irish: 'Lámh foisdineach an uachtar' (With the gentle hand foremost). Prof Robert Joseph Sullivan was laid to rest in 1868 in the Old Priory church in Holywood. Nearby, a blue plaque, provided jointly by the Ulster History Circle and Sullivan Upper School, is to be found, close to the location where the thatched cottage in which he was born once stood. It describes him simply as an educationalist and benefactor. John Stevenson was the Principal of Sullivan Upper School from 1998 to 2010
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'Toppling Scheffler becomes the next objective for McIlroy'
If Rory McIlroy is still seeking his "next Everest", he need look no further than new Open champion Scottie in a season when the Northern Irishman completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Masters, after claiming a second Players title and landing the Pebble Beach signature title, he trails the player now clutching the Claret Jug by a substantial is the world's second best player and, in that regard, the rankings do not lie. Following Scheffler's dominant victory at Royal Portrush, his points average in the standings has risen to who shared seventh place at the Open, is 8.96 points behind. That is the difference between second in the standings and Max Greyserman, who is currently Scheffler from his perch is a mountainous challenge and it has become the next objective for 36-year-old from Holywood, County Down, struggled for motivation in the immediate aftermath of his epic Augusta adventure. Winning the Masters and completing the career grand slam had become his be all and end the Green Jacket on his back, it took the prospect of an Open in his native Northern Ireland to bring back a sense of as he said, his Portrush experience gave him pretty much all he wanted, bar the Claret Jug."That's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us," he stated. In truth, no-one other than Scheffler was ever going to get a sniff of holding golf's most historic trophy after the eventual champion carded his second-round the world rankings reflect, the tall American is head and shoulders above the rest at delivering when the biggest titles are on the line. This was his second major of the year, following his convincing triumph in May's US PGA at Quail the post-championship chat is littered with understandable comparisons between Scheffler's current success and the way the great Tiger Woods dominated the game, McIlroy remains the most likely to challenge the world number one's June 2011 and August 2014 McIlroy was similarly dominant, winning the US Open, US PGA and The Scheffler, it was a quick surge to four majors, the first two won with eight shots to then came an 11-year barren spell for McIlroy that no-one back then could have anticipated. But he remained in the very upper echelons of the game throughout that period of frustrating near has now played in 67 majors and finished in the top 10 33 is an extraordinarily long run of remarkable consistency that no other active player can an all-time great, as one of only six winners of all four majors, McIlroy could be satisfied with his much more is there in the tank to keep pushing to be the best in the world? McIlroy has been doing it for a very long time, but there seems little diminishing of is determined to contribute to another away win in the Ryder Cup in September and would love an Olympic medal in is also the challenge of trying to emerge from Scheffler's long shadow."All you can do is admire what he does and how he does it," McIlroy said."What he does is one thing, but how he does it is another. He just goes about his business, doesn't do anything overly flamboyant, but he's the best at executing in the game right now."It's been absolutely amazing over these past two to three years. All you can do is tip your cap and watch in admiration."Another Open has passed without an English winner, none since Nick Faldo in 1992. But Matt Fitzpatrick's return to form was an encouraging reminder of the 2022 US Open champion's world-class a share of fourth, Fitzpatrick beat Bob MacIntyre by a shot. The Scot tied for seventh, again demonstrating his major credentials following a runner-up finish at June's US Hatton faded on the final day to finish alongside Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and John Parry at seven under and inside the top 20. They also know the man they have to beat if they are to enjoy future major now McIlroy is the player most likely to challenge Scheffler."All I can do is focus on myself and try to play the best golf that I can," he said."I know that, when I do that, I'll have my weeks where I'll contend and hopefully win."
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ryan Hunter haunts old side Brigade and leads Newbuildings to T20 Cup Final joy
The former Ireland Under-19 international top-scored with an unbeaten 66 (five fours, four sixes) as Newbuildings made 145 for four at Ardmore. Hunter shared a third wicket stand of 72 with West Indian international Peat Salmon (44), but the pair hadn't really managed to break the shackles of the Brigade bowlers. That all changed in the final three overs of the innings as Hunter switched into top gear, scoring the bulk of the 43 runs that came in those 18 balls. You sensed the momentum was with Newbuildings and that increased further as Scott Macbeth edged Gregory McFaul behind in the first over of the reply. Cameron Melly followed soon after, clearly incensed to be adjudged lbw to Hunter, and when Ifty Hussain was brilliantly caught by a diving Leeroy McKeegan, Newbuildings were rampant. The game was held up for almost 10 minutes after Hunter damaged a hamstring, and with a Senior Cup Final on the horizon, it's clearly a concern for their chances against Donemana. Adam McDaid and David Barr (27) rebuilt the innings with a stand of 63 before Salmon broke the partnership, quickly followed by castling Mark Hanna in a double-wicket maiden. McDaid, though, kept connecting on his way to a top score of 57 (six fours, one six), and it wasn't until he was dismissed by Johnny Thompson (three for 19) that the result was all but confirmed. It was fitting that Ross Hunter took the final wicket to seal a 21-run win – he will be hoping to lift at least two more before the 2025 season ends. Meanwhile, in the NCU, holders Waringstown will meet Holywood in the Gallagher Women's Cup Final in a repeat of the 2024 decider after both recorded convincing wins in the Semi-Finals. CSNI made 126 for nine in their 30 overs at The Lawn, with Emily Calvert top-scoring with an unbeaten 30 in an innings that never really had any momentum. Naomi Matthews picked up three wickets, while there were two apiece for Penny Speer and Rachel Harrison in an impressive display by the bowling unit. The chase proved a formality led by a magnificent unbeaten 75 from Abbi Harrison, who hit nine boundaries in her 55-ball innings that was enough for her to be given the Player of the Match accolade. Harrison shared an unbroken 127-run opening partnership with Amy Caulfield (31 not out) as the 10-wicket win was achieved in the 19th over. Holywood were also in top form as they steamrollered Lisburn to win by nine wickets in their last-four clash at Wallace Park. The game was as good as over as the home side slipped to 15 for six with Player of the Match Erin Bond taking four wickets and Lara Maritz two. Beth Kennedy (21) led a recovery of sorts, but Alex Atkinson claimed three wickets for just five runs, and a final total of 57 was never likely to cause Holywood any trouble. Dutch international Madison Landsman hit an unbeaten 28 from just eight balls (two fours, three sixes) as Holywood eased to victory in just the fifth over. The Final is set for The Lawn on Sunday, August 3, while the two are also embroiled in a title race that looks like going to the wire.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
British Open 2025: Rory McIlroy grateful for Portrush return, hopeful for at least one more Open there
Rory McIlroy's initial takeaway from this 153rd Open? The emotions, McIlroy said, were 'a lot more positive than they were six years ago.' Back in 2019 at Royal Portrush, not far from McIlroy's hometown of Holywood, Northern Ireland, McIlroy piped his first tee ball out of bounds, made quadruple bogey and eventually opened in 79. Despite a 65 the next day, McIlroy would miss the cut. This time, McIlroy stuck around for four days of heavy praise from the hometown crowd, which showered McIlroy all the way through his 10-under performance and T-7 finish, his 33rd career major top-10, eight in The Open. "I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug, and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us," McIlroy said. McIlroy called his eagle on the par-5 12th hole on Saturday 'one of the coolest moments I've ever had on a golf course.' Sunday's walk up the 18th hole was equally cool, as McIlroy fought to keep the tears from flowing. 'I think there's a lot of gratitude,' McIlroy said, 'and yeah, a lot of pride. A lot of pride that I am from these shores, and in part with the way I've played and advocated for this little country, The Open has returned here, and it's been an amazing venue. Hopefully the R&A keep coming back.' As of now, Portrush does not have a return date to host the game's oldest major championship. Only the next two years, however, are spoken for. McIlroy, at age 36, hopes that he'll get to play at least one more Open here in his lifetime. "Probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more gray than I already am," McIlroy said, before later adding: 'Honestly, I think Portrush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three venues that The Open goes to. Talk to every player this week, and they won't say one single bad thing about the golf course. Then I just think the way it sets up, from a logistical standpoint, I think the R&A have worked so well with the local government to make sure everything runs smoothly... "It's only been six years since 2019. I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, but that would be nice."
