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BreakingNews.ie
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Home favourite Rory McIlroy rewards fans with strong start at Royal Portrush
Rory McIlroy put on a show for the thousands of fans who cheered his every move at his home Open at Royal Portrush as the Masters champion moved himself into contention on the first day. Golf's newest member of the elite career Grand Slam club was far from his best off the tee but made up for it on the greens, three birdies on his front nine leaving him just two shots off the lead. Advertisement While there was no repeat of his out-of-bounds quadruple-bogey eight at the first when the major made its long-awaited return to the Dunluce Links in 2019, McIlroy still missed the fairway and bogeyed. Making it look easy. Rory almost holes out for an eagle. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 But with galleries 10-deep in places craning their necks to see their hero from an hour down the road in Holywood, McIlroy kicked into gear, holing from 15 feet at the par-five second and a 27-footer up the slope for birdie at the driveable par-four fifth. After leaving another birdie attempt inches short at the next, he made life easier for himself at the 607-yard seventh. Having found rough on both sides of the fairway, he hit a brilliant approach to three feet to pick up another shot. A seven-foot birdie opportunity glided by the hole at the eighth, where he managed to find his first fairway, and he two-putted from 33 feet to turn in 34. Advertisement That put him within touching distance of Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick, who carded the lowest opening round of his major career with a four-under 67. He was in the clubhouse alongside world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Li Haotong, with South Africa's Chris Bezuidenhout and American Lucas Glover still out on the course. Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, continued his upward trend following back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last two events after an otherwise disappointing season, despite a joint-eighth place at May's US PGA. The Sheffield golfer got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, but the highlight was a slam-dunk chip for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th. Calamity Corner class. Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie to tie the lead. Listen in on The Open Radio. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 'I felt like The Players was the lowest I've felt in my career,' Fitzpatrick, bidding to become the first English winner of The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, said of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March. Advertisement 'Statistically it could be the worst run that I've played as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going. 'Today I just felt like I did drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day.' Olesen, a Danish left-hander who won the Amateur Championship at Ballyliffin in Ireland last summer, only turned professional in November after earning his DP World Tour card. That meant the 26-year-old had to sacrifice his amateur exemptions for this year's Masters and US Open, so this was only his second appearance at one of golf's premier events after his debut at Troon 12 months ago. Advertisement But he had no regrets about his decision, having come through qualifying a fortnight ago. Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen only turned professional in November (Peter Byrne/PA). 'I think it would have been a different decision if I was 19 at the time, but getting out on tour has always been a dream of mine,' he said. 'I had already made the decision before even going to second stage of Q-school that, if I got through, it would be a no-brainer to turn pro.' World number one Scottie Scheffler missed a birdie putt at the last which would have given him a share of the lead, but his 68 was the lowest score by a player who hit three or fewer fairways in The Open for last 25 years. Advertisement 'When it's raining sideways it's actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway. Thank you guys all for pointing that out,' said the reigning US PGA champion. Asked whether there was a shot he was really pleased with, he replied: 'No.' Scottie Scheffler shot a 68 (Mike Egerton/PA). Scheffler's playing partner and popular 2019 champion Shane Lowry shot one under and the Irishman said: 'I'm happy. I've fought with this round of golf in my head for a few weeks now. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. 'I felt like I managed to handle myself very well. The crowds were amazing and I tried to use that as motivation.' Defending champion Xander Schauffele said his level-par 71 'wasn't a very exciting round', while 55-year-old Phil Mickelson carded his best Open round since 2018 to sit one under, holing a bunker shot for par at the third, having left his first attempt in the sand.
Glasgow Times
6 minutes ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Home favourite Rory McIlroy rewards fans with strong start at Royal Portrush
Golf's newest member of the elite career Grand Slam club was far from his best off the tee but made up for it on the greens, three birdies on his front nine leaving him just two shots off the lead. While there was no repeat of his out-of-bounds quadruple-bogey eight at the first when the major made its long-awaited return to the Dunluce Links in 2019, McIlroy still missed the fairway and bogeyed. Making it look easy. Rory almost holes out for an eagle. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 But with galleries 10-deep in places craning their necks to see their hero from an hour down the road in Holywood, McIlroy kicked into gear, holing from 15 feet at the par-five second and a 27-footer up the slope for birdie at the driveable par-four fifth. After leaving another birdie attempt inches short at the next, he made life easier for himself at the 607-yard seventh. Having found rough on both sides of the fairway, he hit a brilliant approach to three feet to pick up another shot. A seven-foot birdie opportunity glided by the hole at the eighth, where he managed to find his first fairway, and he two-putted from 33 feet to turn in 34. That put him within touching distance of Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick, who carded the lowest opening round of his major career with a four-under 67. He was in the clubhouse alongside world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Li Haotong, with South Africa's Chris Bezuidenhout and American Lucas Glover still out on the course. Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, continued his upward trend following back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last two events after an otherwise disappointing season, despite a joint-eighth place at May's US PGA. The Sheffield golfer got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, but the highlight was a slam-dunk chip for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th. Calamity Corner class. Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie to tie the lead. Listen in on The Open Radio. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 'I felt like The Players was the lowest I've felt in my career,' Fitzpatrick, bidding to become the first English winner of The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, said of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March. 'Statistically it could be the worst run that I've played as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going. 'Today I just felt like I did drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day.' Olesen, a Danish left-hander who won the Amateur Championship at Ballyliffin in Ireland last summer, only turned professional in November after earning his DP World Tour card. That meant the 26-year-old had to sacrifice his amateur exemptions for this year's Masters and US Open, so this was only his second appearance at one of golf's premier events after his debut at Troon 12 months ago. But he had no regrets about his decision, having come through qualifying a fortnight ago. Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen only turned professional in November (Peter Byrne/PA). 'I think it would have been a different decision if I was 19 at the time, but getting out on tour has always been a dream of mine,' he said. 'I had already made the decision before even going to second stage of Q-school that, if I got through, it would be a no-brainer to turn pro.' World number one Scottie Scheffler missed a birdie putt at the last which would have given him a share of the lead, but his 68 was the lowest score by a player who hit three or fewer fairways in The Open for last 25 years. 'When it's raining sideways it's actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway. Thank you guys all for pointing that out,' said the reigning US PGA champion. Asked whether there was a shot he was really pleased with, he replied: 'No.' Scottie Scheffler shot a 68 (Mike Egerton/PA). Scheffler's playing partner and popular 2019 champion Shane Lowry shot one under and the Irishman said: 'I'm happy. I've fought with this round of golf in my head for a few weeks now. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. 'I felt like I managed to handle myself very well. The crowds were amazing and I tried to use that as motivation.' Defending champion Xander Schauffele said his level-par 71 'wasn't a very exciting round', while 55-year-old Phil Mickelson carded his best Open round since 2018 to sit one under, holing a bunker shot for par at the third, having left his first attempt in the sand.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Home favourite Rory McIlroy rewards fans with strong start at Royal Portrush
While there was no repeat of his out-of-bounds quadruple-bogey eight at the first when the major made its long-awaited return to the Dunluce Links in 2019, McIlroy still missed the fairway and bogeyed. Making it look easy. Rory almost holes out for an eagle. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 But with galleries 10-deep in places craning their necks to see their hero from an hour down the road in Holywood, McIlroy kicked into gear, holing from 15 feet at the par-five second and a 27-footer up the slope for birdie at the driveable par-four fifth. After leaving another birdie attempt inches short at the next, he made life easier for himself at the 607-yard seventh. Having found rough on both sides of the fairway, he hit a brilliant approach to three feet to pick up another shot. A seven-foot birdie opportunity glided by the hole at the eighth, where he managed to find his first fairway, and he two-putted from 33 feet to turn in 34. That put him within touching distance of Ryder Cup team-mate Matt Fitzpatrick, who carded the lowest opening round of his major career with a four-under 67. He was in the clubhouse alongside world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Li Haotong, with South Africa's Chris Bezuidenhout and American Lucas Glover still out on the course. Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, continued his upward trend following back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last two events after an otherwise disappointing season, despite a joint-eighth place at May's US PGA. The Sheffield golfer got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, but the highlight was a slam-dunk chip for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th. Calamity Corner class. Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie to tie the lead. Listen in on The Open Radio. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 'I felt like The Players was the lowest I've felt in my career,' Fitzpatrick, bidding to become the first English winner of The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992, said of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March. 'Statistically it could be the worst run that I've played as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going. 'Today I just felt like I did drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day.' Olesen, a Danish left-hander who won the Amateur Championship at Ballyliffin in Ireland last summer, only turned professional in November after earning his DP World Tour card. That meant the 26-year-old had to sacrifice his amateur exemptions for this year's Masters and US Open, so this was only his second appearance at one of golf's premier events after his debut at Troon 12 months ago. But he had no regrets about his decision, having come through qualifying a fortnight ago. Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen only turned professional in November (Peter Byrne/PA). 'I think it would have been a different decision if I was 19 at the time, but getting out on tour has always been a dream of mine,' he said. 'I had already made the decision before even going to second stage of Q-school that, if I got through, it would be a no-brainer to turn pro.' World number one Scottie Scheffler missed a birdie putt at the last which would have given him a share of the lead, but his 68 was the lowest score by a player who hit three or fewer fairways in The Open for last 25 years. 'When it's raining sideways it's actually, believe it or not, not that easy to get the ball in the fairway. Thank you guys all for pointing that out,' said the reigning US PGA champion. Asked whether there was a shot he was really pleased with, he replied: 'No.' Scottie Scheffler shot a 68 (Mike Egerton/PA). Scheffler's playing partner and popular 2019 champion Shane Lowry shot one under and the Irishman said: 'I'm happy. I've fought with this round of golf in my head for a few weeks now. I knew it wasn't going to be easy. 'I felt like I managed to handle myself very well. The crowds were amazing and I tried to use that as motivation.' Defending champion Xander Schauffele said his level-par 71 'wasn't a very exciting round', while 55-year-old Phil Mickelson carded his best Open round since 2018 to sit one under, holing a bunker shot for par at the third, having left his first attempt in the sand.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Really clever, whoever that was' – Tense moment furious Jon Rahm confronts golf fan at The Open
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JON RAHM saw red after a spectator whistled during his round on day one of The Open. The fiery Ryder Cup star lost his cool after he heard a loud whistle from the galleries while he was taking his backswing as he aimed a shot down the 11th fairway. 3 Jon Rahm at the top of his backswing when he heard a whistle 3 The Spaniard turns to the gallery to admonish the noisy fan 3 Jon Rahm's ball ended up deep in the rough He blasted his drive into the right hand rough, and turned to confront the noisy onlooker. Rahm glared at the culprit and said: 'Really? Whistling? Great timing. "Right on my backstroke. Really clever, whoever that was.' After his round of 70 the Spaniard said he didn't think the whistle was aimed at him but was an accident. Rahm - who went on to bogey the hole - said: 'You have the hardest tee shot on the course, raining, into the wind off the left, it's enough. 'I know they're not doing it on purpose. It just seemed like somebody trying to get a hold of someone for whatever it is. It was bad timing. 'I think I just used the moment to let out any tension I had in me. To be honest, it probably didn't affect as much as I made it sound like. 'It was a bad swing as well. Just a difficult hole. I mean, it's frustrating, but it is what it is. It's an everyday thing in golf.' BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Rahm is hoping to become the first Spanish golfer since the legendary Seve Ballesteros to win The Open. He said: 'There's just a few things that would make this one so special. Awkward moment fart noise stuns Open commentators into silence before pair burst out laughing 'Not only getting to three Majors, being the second Spanish player after Seve to win an Open and being the only one to three different majors, that would be very, very special, on top of everything that already is. 'Overall I'm very happy with the round. I'll take the score. I feel confident. Hopefully I can hit a few better shots off the tee.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Sun
‘Really clever, whoever that was' – Tense moment furious Jon Rahm confronts golf fan at The Open
JON RAHM saw red after a spectator whistled during his round on day one of The Open. The fiery Ryder Cup star lost his cool after he heard a loud whistle from the galleries while he was taking his backswing as he aimed a shot down the 11th fairway. 3 3 3 He blasted his drive into the right hand rough, and turned to confront the noisy onlooker. Rahm glared at the culprit and said: 'Really? Whistling? Great timing. "Right on my backstroke. Really clever, whoever that was.' After his round of 70 the Spaniard said he didn't think the whistle was aimed at him but was an accident. Rahm - who went on to bogey the hole - said: 'You have the hardest tee shot on the course, raining, into the wind off the left, it's enough. 'I know they're not doing it on purpose. It just seemed like somebody trying to get a hold of someone for whatever it is. It was bad timing. 'I think I just used the moment to let out any tension I had in me. To be honest, it probably didn't affect as much as I made it sound like. 'It was a bad swing as well. Just a difficult hole. I mean, it's frustrating, but it is what it is. It's an everyday thing in golf.' Rahm is hoping to become the first Spanish golfer since the legendary Seve Ballesteros to win The Open. He said: 'There's just a few things that would make this one so special. 'Not only getting to three Majors, being the second Spanish player after Seve to win an Open and being the only one to three different majors, that would be very, very special, on top of everything that already is. 'Overall I'm very happy with the round. I'll take the score. I feel confident. Hopefully I can hit a few better shots off the tee.'
