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New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Pat McAfee supports Rory McIlroy blowing off the media: ‘Tell them to kiss your ass'
Pat McAfee has a simple piece of advice for how Rory McIlroy should handle his latest rift with the media: 'Tell them to kiss your ass.' 'I'm going to say this to Rory: Rory, I love everything you're doing,' McAfee said Wednesday on ESPN's 'The Pat McAfee Show. 'You walk up to the media and tell them to kiss your ass. You do whatever you need to do, buddy. It is great whenever you're playing incredible golf. If you need to take some time, you need to take some time.' In the wake of his win at the Masters in April, McIlroy has found himself at odds with the media in the following months over his unwillingness to speak at certain points. Pat McAfee defended Rory McIlroy on Wednesday's 'The Pat McAfee Show.' The Pat McAfee Show/YouTube The 36-year-old golfer was sharply criticized for skipping out on media availability after he struggled at the PGA Championship in May, a decision he doubled down on ahead of the RBC Canadian Open in early June. McIlroy justified avoiding the media by calling his time at the PGA Championship a 'weird week,' while also citing frustrations about a leak that his driver had been deemed nonconforming. He also noted that the PGA Tour doesn't require its golfers to speak to the media, unlike the NBA, NFL and MLB. Rory McIlroy during a practice round Wednesday before The Open Championship. Getty Images McAfee doesn't believe the golfer should have to explain himself. 'S–t, I just took some time, I am taking some time from WWE,' said McAfee, who is a color commentator on 'Raw' and has wrestled for the promotion. 'You mentally get to a place where you're kind of exhausted and things like that. So if that's what happened to Rory or if that's going on with Rory or it was happening with Rory and he's on the other side — Rory, we just want to let you know, we love when you're golfing good. And I love that people hate you. I think that is a good thing for sport, not a bad thing for sport.' After placing second in the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick last weekend, McIlroy is now competing for another major title at The Open Championship, which is being held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club in his home country of Northern Ireland.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What's Not to Like About Bobby MacIntyre? My Pick to Defend at the Scottish Open
What's Not to Like About Bobby MacIntyre? My Pick to Defend at the Scottish Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports. His approach was money. Stiffed twelve feet from the pin. His putt rolled like it was on a string and when it dropped to the bottom of the cup, that roar from those Scottish fans sent goose bumps up and down my arms. Advertisement MacIntyre, the Scot, not only won his country's national championship but also became only the second Scot to win multiple PGA Tour events in one season. The legendary Sandy Lyle was the first back in 1988. That single moment captures everything I love about watching this guy play golf. MacIntyre wears his heart on his sleeve. He celebrates like he actually means it. And somehow, in a sport filled with guys who sound like they've been coached by the same media training robot, he still feels real. The moment that I really fell for this lovable Scot was at the 2024 RBC Canadian Open. MacIntyre's win, his first PGA Tour event with his dad Dougie on the bag, was a certified magical moment. Not some superstar caddie — his dad, who cuts grass at Glencruitten Golf Club back in Oban, on his bag. I mean, come on. That's the stuff that reminds us all why we fell in love with this game. Advertisement "If in doubt, phone Dad," MacIntyre said afterward. I mean, seriously. Try finding that kind of authenticity anywhere else on tour these days. This isn't some feel-good story about a nice guy who happens to be decent at golf. The man can absolutely golf his ball. He learned the game on those brutal Scottish courses where the wind never stops blowing and every shot is a puzzle. He's not going to outdrive Bryson DeChambeau, but watch him work his way around a links course in a crosswind, and you'll see pure golf intelligence. MacIntyre doesn't just happen to be Scottish — he is Scottish golf. All that grit, stubbornness and refusal to give up is precisely what being a Scot is all about. His runner-up finish at Oakmont this year? Seven shots back going into Sunday, only to shoot 2-under on that beast of a course to finish two behind J.J. Spaun. That's what happens when you've been grinding your entire life. Advertisement The Ryder Cup performance at Marco Simone proved he's got the goods on the biggest stage. Went 2-0-1, including a singles win over Wyndham Clark that had European captain Luke Donald gushing about his "fearless approach." Trust me, Luke Donald doesn't gush about anything. At 28, MacIntyre has undoubtedly hit that sweet spot. Old enough to know what he's doing, but still young enough to be hungry for more. His world ranking of 14th isn't some flash in the pan — it's been a steady climb from the Challenge Tour trenches. Let's talk about his putting for a second because, as a PGA Professional and Coach, this is the kind of thing that gets me excited. Bobby used to be a weak putter, admittedly. Now? He is absolutely deadly on the greens. His iron play was always solid, but throw in this newfound putting confidence, especially in the wind that defines Scottish golf, and you've got a dangerous combination. What really sells me on MacIntyre defending successfully this week is that he gets what this all means. He's not going to hide from the pressure or give you some boring "one shot at a time" nonsense; he knows it is going to be a grind. He wants to become the first player to win back-to-back Scottish Opens, and he's not afraid to say it. Advertisement Golf can be somewhat sterile at times, and that's coming from a lifelong fan and industry veteran. There is often too much corporate polish, with too many players sounding like they're reading from the same script. MacIntyre's different. He's got skill, sure, but he's also got something that's become increasingly rare in professional sports: a genuine personality. That's why I'm backing him to repeat this week. In a sport that desperately needs more characters, Bobby MacIntyre is exactly what golf needs more of. Related: Scottish Open and The Open Championship Are Two Glorious Weeks Across the Pond Related: LPGA Tour Enters Pivotal Three-Week European Stretch Related: Gary Player Reflects on Royal Portrush's Return to The Open Championship This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
A confident Rory McIlroy is tied for the 54-hole lead at the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open
A familiar face sits atop the leaderboard after 54 holes in the U.K. World No. 2 Rory McIlroy shot 4-under 66 at in Saturday's third round of the 2025 Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. He is tied for the lead at 11 under with Chris Gotterup, who shot 61 on Friday and entered Saturday as the outright leader before posting even-par 70 in the third round. McIlroy made five birdies to go along with a lone blemish in the form of a bogey on the par-4 seventh. He played the three par 5s in 3 under on Saturday, tying for the lowest round of the day with Harris English and Wyndham Clark, who both shot 66 as well. "I made a really good bounce-back birdie after the bogey on seven. I felt like the conditions were tougher as the day went on and the back nine played more difficult today than it did yesterday, at least for me. I think the wind and the conditions we got are sort of similar to what the afternoon wave got yesterday. But I controlled my ball flight well and did what I needed to do, close on the last two holes as well. Overall happy with the day's work." That score could have been even lower if not for a few close calls on the back nine, the most notable of which came on the par-4 15th when his third shot from the greenside bunker hit the flagstick and popped out of the hole, robbing him of what would have been a highlight-reel birdie. He tapped in for par. He rolled in a 10-foot putt for birdie on 16, then on the 17th, McIlroy narrowly missed a 13-foot birdie attempt to get to 12 under, which would have been good for the outright 54-hole lead. He did the same on 18. "I think the bunker shot on 15, I got a little fortunate there, hitting the pin. The birdie on 16 was huge out of nowhere. And then, look, I gave myself two great chances at the last two holes. I hit two good putts. They just burned the edge. But yeah, I would say 15 and 16 were two big holes. One to keep momentum and one to pick up that shot." McIlroy has been under scrutiny in recent months for his performance and behavior surrounding media availability since winning the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam in April. He missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open amid much discussion about a test that his driver failed a few weeks prior in the days leading up to the PGA Championship, where he finished T47. But it wasn't long before his game began rounding back into form again. He grinded out a top-20 finish at the U.S. Open before tying for sixth at the Travelers Championship. After rounds of 68, 65 and 66, he enters Sunday in prime position to nab his 30th career victory on the PGA Tour. It would also be his second win at the Genesis Scottish Open in his last three starts there. He won it in 2023, finishing one shot ahead of Robert MacIntyre, who then went on to win this event last year. Now, McIlroy has a chance to close the show at The Renaissance Club once again, and because tee times were moved up due to a dense sea fog in the forecast, he might be able to catch some tennis on TV in the evening. "I'm excited. I'm excited to get out there. The atmosphere has been great all week. Obviously the weather helps that. Tee times are pushed up a little bit, so hopefully get the business done early-ish and I can watch the last two or three sets of the Wimbledon final." A win would be quite the boost in momentum heading into next week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, where McIlroy will be seeking his sixth major title in his home country. He believes his game is up to the task. "I think I'm pretty close to being back to the level I was at going into the Masters." McIlroy tees off Sunday at at 8:40 a.m. ET in the final group with Gotterup (11 under) and Wyndham Clark (9 under), 10 minutes after the other three players at 9 under — Jake Knapp, Matt Fitzpatrick and Marco Penge.
Canada News.Net
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
Rory McIlroy saves Scottish Open round with late birdie barrage
(Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) By the time Rory McIlroy reached the sixth tee box, he could already sense he wasn't far from the danger zone at the Scottish Open on Thursday. After a 332-yard drive, McIlroy reached the green in two and had a putt for birdie on the par-4 first. He took five there after a three-putt for bogey, had another bogey at No. 5 and found a fairway bunker on the par-4 15th for a trio of boxes on the scorecard that tallied to a score of one-over with three holes to play. 'I definitely finished the round better than I started it,' said McIlroy, who closed the first round with three consecutive birdies and is 2-under going to Friday. 'Felt like it was a bit of a slow start. I think when you come back over here, links greens, they're a lot slower than what we're used to.' A three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season, the 2023 Scottish Open champion finished fourth last July when he kicked off the tournament with a first-round 65. He shot 64 in 2023 to finish tied for third after the first round. McIlroy took the past two weeks off from tournament golf since missing the cut at 9-over at the RBC Canadian Open. He said earlier this week it was a great time for reflection and felt energy and reconnection from listening to the way others felt watching him win the Masters in April. But the question of motivation came up Thursday, particularly with the Open Championship at his home course Royal Portrush next week, but McIlroy said he's no longer in vacation mode. 'I'm ready to play. The change of scenery has been nice,' he said. 'It's been nice to get back over here. That renewed my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the season.'
Canada Standard
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Canada Standard
Rory McIlroy saves Scottish Open round with late birdie barrage
Field Level Media 11 Jul 2025, 02:49 GMT+10 (Photo credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) By the time Rory McIlroy reached the sixth tee box, he could already sense he wasn't far from the danger zone at the Scottish Open on Thursday. After a 332-yard drive, McIlroy reached the green in two and had a putt for birdie on the par-4 first. He took five there after a three-putt for bogey, had another bogey at No. 5 and found a fairway bunker on the par-4 15th for a trio of boxes on the scorecard that tallied to a score of one-over with three holes to play. 'I definitely finished the round better than I started it,' said McIlroy, who closed the first round with three consecutive birdies and is 2-under going to Friday. 'Felt like it was a bit of a slow start. I think when you come back over here, links greens, they're a lot slower than what we're used to.' A three-time winner on the PGA Tour this season, the 2023 Scottish Open champion finished fourth last July when he kicked off the tournament with a first-round 65. He shot 64 in 2023 to finish tied for third after the first round. McIlroy took the past two weeks off from tournament golf since missing the cut at 9-over at the RBC Canadian Open. He said earlier this week it was a great time for reflection and felt energy and reconnection from listening to the way others felt watching him win the Masters in April. But the question of motivation came up Thursday, particularly with the Open Championship at his home course Royal Portrush next week, but McIlroy said he's no longer in vacation mode. 'I'm ready to play. The change of scenery has been nice,' he said. 'It's been nice to get back over here. That renewed my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the season.' --Field Level Media
