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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Rory McIlroy argument sparks 'not buying it' Scottie Scheffler claim after Open win
Rory McIlroy was supported by the home fans at Royal Portrush, but he was unable to challenge Scottie Scheffler as the American clinched The Open title Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler find themselves at the centre of a new debate following The Open Championship. Golf pundits are still dissecting Scheffler winning the Claret Jug and the reasons why McIlroy fell short at Royal Portrush. McIlroy, who was warmly welcomed by the home fans, ended the tournament tied for seventh place with a score of 10-under-par. Despite the strong support, McIlroy couldn't reach the top of the leaderboard, as an unflappable Scheffler secured the trophy on 17-under. The Open marked Scheffler's fourth major win, a day after McIlroy had described his rival as "inevitable". Scheffler's victory and McIlroy's comments have fuelled a fresh debate about a potential gap between the two players, but pundits have been left divided. In a post-round interview with Sky Sports, McIlroy praised Scheffler: "Scottie Scheffler is... he's inevitable. Even when he doesn't have his best stuff, he's become a complete player. He's so good around the greens. He's improved so much with his putter. " The 29-year-old's triumph at The Open led to speculation about whether McIlroy feels there's a growing divide between him and Scheffler. However, not all pundits agreed. Speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Rob Lee said: "I think he's very conscious of it. Rory, for a lot of us, most of us, on his day, the best player in the world. "If they're all on their day, Jon Rahm, everybody else, [Scheffler] is the best player in the world. So I'm now saying, on their day, Scottie Scheffler's the best player in the world." However, Mark Roe disagreed with his colleague regarding the difference between McIlroy and Scheffler. "I'm not buying this gulf. I'm not buying it, no," Roe responded. Elaborating on Lee's claim about Scheffler being the world's best, Roe countered: "Do you think if Rory came this week – we've talked about his driving not being great – and played his absolute A-game and drove it the best he could.. "He shot 61 around there when he was 16. I don't buy that. I think if Rory had come and played as good as he can play, I think he wins. I think he wins." Attempting to resolve the discussion, fellow pundit Richard Boxall weighed in on who would triumph if Scheffler and McIlroy faced each other 100 times. Boxall delivered his conclusion: "I'd say, if they played them in matchplay, I think Rory would win. If they played them in stroke play, I'd play Scheffler would win." McIlroy claimed his fifth major championship and completed a career Grand Slam with his Masters triumph in April. The 36-year-old had also secured victories at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Players Championship before travelling to Augusta, though McIlroy has since failed to match the commanding form he displayed in the opening months of the year. Scheffler, who has held the world No. 1 ranking since May 2023, has shown remarkable consistency, securing 13 top-10 finishes across 16 tournament appearances this year. He has captured both the PGA Championship and Open titles while also triumphing at the Byron Nelson and Memorial Tournament. McIlroy spoke openly about Scheffler's performance following his third round at Portrush: "He's playing like Scottie. I don't think it's a surprise. Everyone's seen the way he's played over the last two to three years. "He's just so solid. He doesn't make mistakes... he's turned himself into a really consistent player, as well. "There doesn't seem to be any weakness there. Whenever you're trying to chase down a guy like that, it's hard to do. But he's incredibly impressive."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
The Open 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Scottie Scheffler stretches his lead above the chasing pack at Royal Portush
SCOTT FREE The Open 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Scottie Scheffler stretches his lead above the chasing pack at Royal Portush Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER is closing in on a stunning Open victory at Royal Portrush! Home hero Rory McIlroy, plus Brit pair Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton are in the chasing group, but Scheffler has been in imperious form on the final day. World No 1 Scheffler is looking to add the The Open to his three majors - The Masters in 2022 and 2024 and the PGA Championship this year. Start time: From 8.30am/3.30am ET From 8.30am/3.30am ET TV channel: Sky Sports Golf (UK)/ NBC (USA) Sky Sports Golf (UK)/ NBC (USA) Live stream: Sky Sports app (UK)/ NBC app (USA) The Open 2025 offers: Free bets, sign-up deals, tips and price boosts Follow our live blog below...
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Legendary European golfer Sergio Garcia SNAPS club in anger during final round of The Open - with little-known rule set to add to his frustration
Golf legend Sergio Garcia ended up snapping his club in anger during the final round of The Open. Garcia was frustrated after a disappointing tee shot on the second hole. A little-known rule is also set to add to the 45-year-old's problems. The rule states that the club can't be replaced, which means that Garcia has essentially been left without a driver for the rest of the day. Garcia, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, has won 36 international tournaments as a professional. His successes include the 2008 Players Championship and the 2017 Masters Tournament. Sergio Garcia snaps his driver in frustration after a poor tee shot on the second hole 😤 — Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 The rule states that the club can't be replaced, which means that Garcia has essentially been left without a driver Garcia is set to take part in the LIV Golf UK Tournament which gets underway next Friday. Earlier this week Tommy Fleetwood was left seething at a bizarre new rule change. Fleetwood's ball landed in a bunker that hadn't been raked. 'For f***s sake, man,' he was overheard saying on the World Feed broadcast.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Lowry's 66 shows low scores are gettable as Open field chases Scheffler
Shane Lowry has brought a frustrating Open challenge to a spellbinding close by shooting a five-under round of 66 early on Sunday that actually earned him an unlikely clubhouse lead before the leaders take to the Dunluce course. The 2019 champion on this very course, Lowry couldn't get his game going with an opening one-under par 70 on Thursday and he was then hit for a controversial two-shot penalty after finishing his 18 holes on the Friday. His Saturday round was played while struggling with a virus that had also affected his wife and daughters and it showed as the Irishman carded a three-over 74. But Sunday was better, six birdies and a single bogey leaving him at two-under for the tournament. Lowry almost produced a fairytale finish with his chip third shot hitting the flag but failing to disappear into the cup. Not to be but the roar that greeted him as he approached the 18th green and left it was enormous. The 18th shook with hope. Shane Lowry almost chips in on the final hole. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025 His own new course record of 63 was a possibility when he produced his sixth birdie on the par-five 12th but he parred his way home from there. As has been the case most of this week, low scores are gettable at Portrush on the final day. That's good and bad news for most of the field as they go about chasing leader Scottie Scheffler who, at 14-under par, holds a four-shot lead on Haotong Li. Matt Fitzpatrick is on minus-9 with Rory McIlroy starting off at eight-under. Six shots is an improbable difference for the 2014 champion and local hero to make up on the best player in the world right now. Scheffler has won his last nine tournaments when leading after 54 holes. McIlroy produced plenty of early magic for an enormous and vociferous gallery on Saturday with three birdies from his first four holes, while Scheffler took some time to find his stride. Something similar will be needed on Sunday afternoon. Nearly a hole-in-one on Sunday morning for Shane Lowry ⛳️ — Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: McIlroy plots repeat of 2022 six-shot miracle win over Scheffler... as Lowry goes low and Sergio snaps driver
6 minutes ago Back. To. Back. Shane Lowry has started to put some round together as he follows up the birdie on seven with another putt from the fringe from 20 feet for birdie at the eighth! That's four birdies in his last six holes and the 2019 champion is back to where he started the week at E! 8 minutes ago Watch: Sergio's snapped! Sergio Garcia parred the first today to stay on level for the tournament but has snapped his driver out of frustration following a poor tee shot on the second. The Spaniard will now have to complete his final round one club short... as he's not allowed replace it. Oops! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Sergio Garcia snaps his driver in frustration after a poor tee shot on the second hole 😤 Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 10 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Phil goes back-to-back! The LIV golfer has carded his first under-par nine holes since the front nine on Thursday, making back-to-back birdies on seven and eight for a two-under 34 to climb to +3 for the tournament. The Open on Twitter / X Perfect pace. Pure magic. The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 16 minutes ago Adam McKendry Hair today gone tomorrow Young Fionn McFadden might be the biggest Rory McIlroy fan out here - and he has the haircut to prove it! He's been following Rory all week but has come out this morning to track Shane before the leaders head out on course. "I've had the hair for three days but I'll probably dye it back to normal tomorrow!" he grins. 18 minutes ago Famous follower Glentoran captain and Northern Ireland star Jess Foy is out following Shane Lowry as he delights the crowd once more and evokes a roar as he holes out for birdie from off the back of the seventh green for his third in three holes! He's back to +1! 34 minutes ago Adam McKendry International tournament You forget just how popular this tournament is until you look at the crowd and see people wandering around in gear from all around the world, and one woman following the Lowry group is enthusiastically waving a Danish flag after every shot Jacob Skov Olesen hits. "Lad os gå, Jacob!" she yells. Well, I don't speak Danish, but she yelled something and that looks like what it sounded like to me. As we walk up to the sixth green, a woman passes us with a Norwegian flag looking to get a glimpse of Viktor Hovland in the group behind. All on the north coast of Northern Ireland. Mad. 41 minutes ago "Aw noooo" Shane Lowry can hole out for birdie from 183 yards but he also can't from 19 feet as his birdie putt on the par-four fifth stays above ground. You're always guaranteed a reaction from Lowry and he gives us one as he stays +2 after a disappointing bogey following a good drive. Rory McIlroy beating Scheffler from six shots back? It's happened before... I bring to you another story of hope on this fine Sunday morning. It's late August 2022, and Rory McIlroy is going into the final round of the Tour Championship, six shots behind one Scottie Scheffler. The American has opened the week with rounds of 65 / 66 / 66. He's looking unbeatable. Then on Sunday at East Lake, he opens with a bogey - and follows it up with two more at the fourth and the sixth. A birdie at eight gave him only a momentary reprieve, as he dropped a further shot at 16 to card a three-over-par final round 73. It was a day on which he hit just half the greens in regulations, and only slightly more fairways. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy followed up his Saturday 63 with a four-under-par 66 on Sunday to complete a seven-shot swing and win by one. McIlroy also started with bogey, but had carded four birdies by the turn to reel Scheffler in to just a single shot between them. Two birdies on the back (and one drop shot) was enough to get the job done. After the tournament, Rory apologised to Scottie's parents, but received a gracious response. 'I'm sorry,' he said to Scott and Diane Scheffler. 'He deserves it. He's had an unbelievable year.' Scheffler's father repied: 'So did you. Good playing.' 'Congrats,' added Diane. 'Good job. Great job.' 'What a week, what a day,' stated McIlroy. 'I feel like Scottie deserves at least half of this. He's a hell of a competitor. It was an honour to battle with him." So Scheffler may look rock solid this week so far, but he looked that way at East Lake in 2022 as well... It's not quite over yet. Rory McIlroy hails PGA Tour as 'best place to play' after shock £15m Tour Championship win at East Lake Rory McIlroy has won the end-of-season Tour Championship for the third time in his career, with a sublime fourth round display. 59 minutes ago Adam McKendry Watch: Shane Lowry holes out from 183-yards Lowry thinks he's scrambling just to make par on the fourth after he finds the fairway bunker off the tee and has to splash out... but he holes his third shot from 183 yards! It wasn't quite as loud as Rory's on 12 yesterday but that was a roar from the crowd to wake you up on a Sunday morning! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Shane Lowry with a BRILLIANT 183-yard chip-in at the fourth 🤩 Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 08:40 AM Gareth Hanna Big names coming up on first tee The grandstands at the first are filling up again this morning and the crowds will have plenty of familiar faces coming through in the next three groups. Jordan Spieth (+1) is up first with Liverpudlian Matthew Jordan (E) alongside Francesco Molinari (+1) following on, and Sergio Garcia (E) playing with 1997 champion Justin Leonard after that. Steady on Shane Shane Lowry proving that the par-three third is definitely a birdie chance as he takes aim, goes straight at the pin that's tucked behind the mound on the left... and sticks it to a foot! Kick in birdie, back to +3! In the group behind, Viktor Hovland has received the luckiest break I have ever seen, pulling his approach shot into the par-five second well left (as in a good 20 yards left), but it clangs off the scoreboard by the green and back into the fairway! Sky Sports Golf on Twitter / X Nearly a hole-in-one on Sunday morning for Shane Lowry ⛳️ Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. Today 08:24 AM Adam McKendry Shane's struggles continue The par on the first was a solid way to start for the Irishman but he's in trouble on the second despite driving it straight down the middle. He's yanked his second shot into the fescue down the left and his first chip doesn't have the mustard on it and rolls back into the rough. The follow-up chip is good and should be enough to secure the par, but he can't convert the short putt and the crowd sighs as he drops back to +4 early doors. "F**k sake," Lowry fumes. The crowd laughs. He doesn't. Today 08:13 AM Gareth Hanna Some Bryson-spotting, anyone? Bryson DeChambeau reveals famous north coast landmark he's planning to visit during his time at Royal Portrush Golfing giant Bryson DeChambeau was looking forward to a 'fun' experience visiting the Giant's Causeway after shooting a three-under-par 68 in his third round at Royal Portrush. Today 08:11 AM Gareth Hanna The day's first birdie on the board It's a bit of a par-fest out there in the early groups, just one bogey and now one birdie on the cards. It's come for world number 31 Andrew Novak at the first, draining a 13-footer down the slope to the centrally-placed pin. Today 08:03 AM Shane on his way The 2019 champion is teeing off a lot earlier on Sunday this time around than he did six years ago, which will frustrate him, but the Offaly man says he's going to make a point of enjoying himself today so this could be a fun round to go and watch. He's just teed off alongside Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen, who shared the lead after day one, and it looks like the bulk of the early morning crowd are going to be tagging along with him. Can he at least make a charge up the leaderboard and secure a strong finish? He hasn't finished better than 42nd in the Majors this year but hopefully he can improve on that today. Today 07:57 AM Holey moly Another look at the stats on which hole the players are struggling with and which holes they're making hay on. The toughest and easiest holes are unchanged from yesterday, with the 14th causing all sorts of problems playing 0.338 strokes over-par this week, while the short par-five 12th is comfortably the easiest hole on the course as it has only crept closer to the half-a-stroke under-par mark at 0.463 strokes under-par. It's the definition of a par-four-and-a-half. There's some small changes in the rankings below that, with an easy pin position on 11 yesterday moving it to third in the list below the fourth in the toughest hole rankings, with the first and 16th swapping in fourth and fifth. On the easiest side, the par-five seventh played downwind which led to more eagles on Saturday, so it leaps up to second in the rankings above the par-five second, with the driveable par-four fifth and downhill par-four 17th staying put at fourth and fifth in the rankings respectively. Toughest holes 1. 14th, Par-4 (+0.338) SAME 2. 4th, Par-4 (+0.259) UP 1 3. 11th, Par-4 (+0.249) DOWN 1 4. 1st, Par-4 (+0.230) UP 1 5. 16th, Par-3 (+0.228) DOWN 1 Easiest holes 1. 12th, Par-5 (-0.463) SAME 2. 7th, Par-5 (-0.280) UP 1 3. 2nd, Par-5 (-0.249) DOWN 1 4. 5th, Par-4 (-0.136) SAME 5. 17th, Par-4 (-0.081) SAME Today 07:51 AM Gareth Hanna Honest Matt as Scheffler's record is ominous You have to respect Matt Fitzpatrick (-9)'s honesty here. He's saying what every other player in the field is thinking as Scottie Scheffler holds a four shot lead going into today's final round. Scheffler has never blown a 54-hole major lead, though. All three of his wins have come after being atop the board on Saturday night. 2022 Masters: Led by three / won by three after shooting -1 2024 Masters: Led by one / won by four after shooting -4 2025 PGA Championship: Led by three / won by five after shooting level par Christopher Powers on Twitter / X Todd lewis asked Matt Fitzpatrick what he's expecting from Scottie Scheffler tomorrow 'Well, hopefully a blowup.'We respect an honest 👑 Christopher Powers (@CPowers14) July 19, 2025 Today 07:43 AM Adam McKendry Today 07:29 AM Adam McKendry We are officially under way For the second straight day, Germany's Matti Schmid hits the opening tee shot of the round and with that, day four of The Open Championship is officially under way! Today 07:09 AM Time for a birdie-fest? Here are today's hole locations. Now I am no pro, so I certainly wouldn't be firing at any of these pins, but it really does look like some of these flags are very gettable today. Are we in for some low scores as a result? Load more Live Blog Software
