Latest news with #SonsofUlster
The Herald Scotland
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Scottie Scheffler leads The Open by four shots at Portrush
Perhaps the Sons of Ulster will be employed to halt Scheffler in his tracks too? Good luck. This was classic Scheffler. Composed, controlled and clinical. His bogey-free four-under 67 for a 14-under total gave him a commanding advantage over Haotong Li as the world No 1 looks to add a Claret Jug to the two Masters green jackets and a US PGA title that he already has in his shimmering collection. 'Anytime you can keep a clean card in a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day,' said Scheffler. When he did deviate off the straight and narrow, his nerveless salvage operations to save par, particularly on the 11th and 14th, must have knocked the stuffing out of those trying to keep clinging to his coattails. 'The card could looks stress-free, but those two par saves were key,' he added of the significance of those moments. Earlier, his cracking approach into the long seventh spawned an eagle as the overnight leader fortified his position of authority at the summit. Scheffler has closed out victory the last 10 times he has held the outright lead after 54-holes. 'A lot of it is staying patient,' he said. 'I know what I need to do tomorrow and it is a matter of going out and doing it. But I'm not thinking about winning The Open when I go to sleep tonight.' This was a cracking day of major championship golf. When home hero Rory McIlroy curled in a raking birdie putt on the very first hole, the roars from the masses looking on could've cracked the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway. Carried along on a tidal wave of passionate support, the reigning Masters champion certainly gave them plenty to get excited about as he posted a lively 66 to finish on eight-under and trail by six. His baffling incident on the 11th, meanwhile, had McIlroy scratching his head like Stan Laurel trying to work out a yardage. Digging a wayward drive out of the rough, McIlroy's gouge also unearthed an old ball that had been buried under his own and it flew out too. It was probably a lost relic from the Portrush media day when the golf writers were allowed to thrash away on the links. 'That is the most weird, ridiculous thing I've ever seen,' smiled McIlroy of this two-ball trick during a typically eventful round which also featured a mighty eagle putt of over 50-feet on the 12th. The world No 2 was joined in a share of fourth by Harris English, Tyrrell Hatton and last week's Scottish Open champion, Chris Gotterup. Ahead of them is Matthew Fitzpatrick on nine-under with Li the closest to Scheffler on 10-under. Li, who is coached by Jamie Gough, the brother of former Rangers and Scotland defender Richard, was third in The Open back in 2017 at Birkdale as he rose to global prominence. He has endured some trying years since then, however. Injuries and a bout of the yips saw him hit rock bottom. 'Nothing to lose,' said the 29-year-old after a 69 kept him in the hunt to become the first Asian winner of The Open. 'Two years ago, swing yips, I couldn't even pull the trigger. This is a massive step for me. It's a miracle.' It would be quite the miracle if he can hunt down the dominant Scheffler. Fitzpatrick, who signed for a 71, is well aware of the size of the task facing the rest. 'Let's be realistic,' said the Sheffield man. 'He's five ahead. It's not easy. But if you get off to a good start, then you can put a bit of pressure on early doors and hope for the best really'. As the sun shone down on Portrush, the huge galleries certainly got their money's worth on an absorbing day across the board. Justin Rose's 68 was such a wild ride, it could've been played out on a safari. The Englishman packed eight birdies, three bogeys and two full-blown shanks into a lively affair. When he holed a huge putt across the 18th green, he opened his arms and looked to the heavens in gasping delight. It was one of those days. His compatriot Lee Westwood, meanwhile, stumbled out in 40 then came bounding home in just 29 blows to finish alongside Rose on five-under. It was time for everybody to have a breather. The chasing pack will need all their energy to catch Scheffler.
The National
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Scottie Scheffler leads The Open by four shots at Portrush
As the thousands streamed out of the golf last night, they were confronted by hectic scenes as a well-publicised loyalist parade brought the streets of Portrush to a complete standstill. Perhaps the Sons of Ulster will be employed to halt Scheffler in his tracks too? Good luck. This was classic Scheffler. Composed, controlled and clinical. His bogey-free four-under 67 for a 14-under total gave him a commanding advantage over Haotong Li as the world No 1 looks to add a Claret Jug to the two Masters green jackets and a US PGA title that he already has in his shimmering collection. 'Anytime you can keep a clean card in a major championship, you're going to be having a pretty good day,' said Scheffler. When he did deviate off the straight and narrow, his nerveless salvage operations to save par, particularly on the 11th and 14th, must have knocked the stuffing out of those trying to keep clinging to his coattails. 'The card could looks stress-free, but those two par saves were key,' he added of the significance of those moments. Earlier, his cracking approach into the long seventh spawned an eagle as the overnight leader fortified his position of authority at the summit. Scheffler has closed out victory the last 10 times he has held the outright lead after 54-holes. 'A lot of it is staying patient,' he said. 'I know what I need to do tomorrow and it is a matter of going out and doing it. But I'm not thinking about winning The Open when I go to sleep tonight.' This was a cracking day of major championship golf. When home hero Rory McIlroy curled in a raking birdie putt on the very first hole, the roars from the masses looking on could've cracked the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway. Carried along on a tidal wave of passionate support, the reigning Masters champion certainly gave them plenty to get excited about as he posted a lively 66 to finish on eight-under and trail by six. His baffling incident on the 11th, meanwhile, had McIlroy scratching his head like Stan Laurel trying to work out a yardage. Digging a wayward drive out of the rough, McIlroy's gouge also unearthed an old ball that had been buried under his own and it flew out too. It was probably a lost relic from the Portrush media day when the golf writers were allowed to thrash away on the links. 'That is the most weird, ridiculous thing I've ever seen,' smiled McIlroy of this two-ball trick during a typically eventful round which also featured a mighty eagle putt of over 50-feet on the 12th. The world No 2 was joined in a share of fourth by Harris English, Tyrrell Hatton and last week's Scottish Open champion, Chris Gotterup. Ahead of them is Matthew Fitzpatrick on nine-under with Li the closest to Scheffler on 10-under. Li, who is coached by Jamie Gough, the brother of former Rangers and Scotland defender Richard, was third in The Open back in 2017 at Birkdale as he rose to global prominence. He has endured some trying years since then, however. Injuries and a bout of the yips saw him hit rock bottom. 'Nothing to lose,' said the 29-year-old after a 69 kept him in the hunt to become the first Asian winner of The Open. 'Two years ago, swing yips, I couldn't even pull the trigger. This is a massive step for me. It's a miracle.' It would be quite the miracle if he can hunt down the dominant Scheffler. Fitzpatrick, who signed for a 71, is well aware of the size of the task facing the rest. 'Let's be realistic,' said the Sheffield man. 'He's five ahead. It's not easy. But if you get off to a good start, then you can put a bit of pressure on early doors and hope for the best really'. As the sun shone down on Portrush, the huge galleries certainly got their money's worth on an absorbing day across the board. Justin Rose's 68 was such a wild ride, it could've been played out on a safari. The Englishman packed eight birdies, three bogeys and two full-blown shanks into a lively affair. When he holed a huge putt across the 18th green, he opened his arms and looked to the heavens in gasping delight. It was one of those days. His compatriot Lee Westwood, meanwhile, stumbled out in 40 then came bounding home in just 29 blows to finish alongside Rose on five-under. It was time for everybody to have a breather. The chasing pack will need all their energy to catch Scheffler.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Loyalist band parade bypasses the minds of most overseas visitors to Portrush
Bulk of tourists here to enjoy the golf are unaware of controversy around clashing weekend event Despite the controversy, headlines and tee-time changes caused by the Sons of Ulster parade in Portrush this weekend, the majority of international visitors to The Open don't seem to know it's even taking place. The loyalist flute band will hold its annual event on Saturday night, with the timings coinciding with the third round of the golf Major. Organisers say 77 bands are expected to take part, with approximately 2,000 spectators. Mark Darbon, chief executive of the R&A (Royal & Ancient), said there would be 'marginal adjustments' of about 15 minutes to the golf tee-times on Saturday to try and ensure both events take place in a 'seamless' way. Local TUV councillor Allister Kyle said the last time The Open was held on the north coast in 2019, the band ran a concert in Portrush amphitheatre and 'the Americans loved it'. The Belfast Telegraph stopped visiting golf fans at Royal Portrush yesterday to ask if they'll be watching the parade. But for nearly all of them, it was their first time hearing about it. Not Zoe Weinberg, though. She grew up in Michigan and lives in London. Her boyfriend is English, but his parents live in Moville, Co Donegal. She said: 'I do know what it is, actually — they wear bowler hats? And they almost got paid £20,000 to not do it, and they've decided to still do it. 'We won't be there because we'll be back in Donegal. We're coming back on Sunday. 'I don't even know enough about it to even think [about going to watch it]. I just wanna go hang out and have a relaxing evening.' Canadian Karen Caulfield lives near Toronto. During this trip, a special highlight was finally visiting Castlecaulfield in Co Tyrone, her namesake. She said: 'I have friends that live in Coleraine, so we're close by here. 'We've been to St Andrews, and Portrush blows it away. It's a better viewing course. I have been fortunate to golf at Royal County Down numerous times over the years.' Karen has witnessed loyalist bands in Belfast before, and 'wouldn't mind going to see it, except for the crowds'. She added: 'It's interesting too, because it might cause a little divide, right? 'I just volunteered at the Canadian Open and we get rock bands to play every night, so I actually looked for music at The Open and AI said that no, they don't do any concerts at this. 'We have a huge stage at The Canadian Open on one of the holes not being used, and two of our top Canadian artists play — Billy Talent and Sam Roberts.' She did suggest The Open should maybe follow suit — and get the likes of Westlife and Snow Patrol to play next time. Scott Olson from Minnesota lived in Derry for about a year and knows about loyalist band culture, but had no idea about the parade. He's attending the tournament all weekend, but just wanted to soak up the golf. 'No, probably not,' was his answer about attending the parade. Meanwhile, the PSNI has advised road users to anticipate traffic disruption. The parade is due to begin at 8.30pm on Metropole Green before moving onto Sandhill Drive, Eglinton Street, Kerr Street, Upper Main Street, Main Street, Causeway Street, Victoria Street, and finish on Dunluce Avenue at around 11pm. Additional traffic management measures will be implemented from 6-11pm with all roads into Portrush town temporarily closed to facilitate the volume of participants and spectators. Road closures include Coleraine Road at Glenvale Avenue Junction, Hopefield Avenue and Girona Avenue, Girona Park by Girona Avenue, and Girona Avenue by Ballywillan Road. The PSNI said: 'Officers will be on the ground during the parade to assist with traffic diversions. Any diversions will be made where necessary for vehicular movement, and local businesses will remain open and accessible as usual.'
The 42
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The 42
McIlroy facing another major emotional challenge as Portrush's latest Open finally kicks off
WELCOME TO NORTHERN Ireland, where Open Week has been delivering all of that which you might expect, even before the golf has got underway. We have had an abrupt end to the summer by glowering and seditious skies. We have had a classic bit of opportunistic price-gouging, with the Harbour Bar's Open Added Tax such that the Belfast Telegraph believe their £8 pint of Guinness is currently the most expensive jar of stout in all of Northern Ireland. We have had the accommodation of a marching band, with Saturday's tee times to be brought forward for 15 minutes to ease the congestion exacerbated by the Sons of Ulster's 70-band parade. And we have had the greatest player in the world infected by a bad dose of existential despair. Scottie Scheffler's meditations in the press room on Tuesday have proved to be the most interesting part of the week's build-up, as he admitted that the joy in success on the golf course is fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling. 'What's the point?', asked Scottie aloud to rows of journalists briefly fascinated but ultimately chilled by the implications of his Beckettian angst. Beckett may have been primarily a cricket fan, but he would approve of the kind of strictly-controlled stage direction demanded of an Open venue by the Royal & Ancient. And, to be honest, everyone else should approve too. For ultimately we also have a stunning theatre for championship golf, one kept looking lush by the spillings of rain and marries take-a-breath views with a hold-your-breath challenge. The Open is back in Portrush after only six years primarily because of the number of eager punters they can layer along the fairways – more than 250,000 people will click between the gates this week – but this promises to be another week to make yourself giddy about the elemental genius of golf on this island and then make you lament the extent to which the professional game has been captured by obscenely wealthy parklands in America. But that's only if you can take your eyes away from Rory McIlroy, as to suggest Rory has been the centre of attention this week is to assume there's attention being shared anywhere else, which is not a safe bet. Dealing with that adulation's attendant pressure is what McIlroy failed to do in missing the cut in 2019, infamously hooking his tee shot left and out of bounds; his radar left askew by the emotional punch of the ovation that met him on the first tee. He said this week he hadn't expected to be met with anything like this noise, and that he had not mentally prepared for its impact. The good news is he can't be surprised twice. In 2019 he said he 'isolated' himself away from the clamouring crowds, to the point he stayed well away from the course. This time, however, he is staying nearby, and has decided he is better to embrace the attention and its expectation. It's a tentative kind of embrace, however: McIlroy snuck onto the property shortly after sunrise on Monday and Tuesday to steal a march on the madding crowds. And as to whether this refreshed approach will yield different results? Well, he sent his tee shot on the first hole out of bounds during practice on Monday and Tuesday. Er, maybe best to get those swings out of the way. Advertisement If McIlroy can deal with the emotional pressure – singular to him among the whole field – then he should contend, because his game looks to be in rude health. If his surly non-performance at the PGA Championship was the sit-down-in-the-shower-to-cry phase of his post-Masters hangover, then last Sunday's second-placed finish at the Scottish Open was the moment at which he finally kept his dinner down. This was the first tournament at which he contended since the Masters, and McIlroy said afterwards that he felt his game is back to the level at which it was during the first fortnight of April. If he can tidy up his driving accuracy – he ranked 60th among the Scottish Open field for fairways found – and maintain his putting consistency on the slower greens of a links course, then he will contend to become the first man to win the Masters and the Open in the same year since Tiger Woods did so in 2005. Shane Lowry. Ben Brady / INPHO Ben Brady / INPHO / INPHO Meanwhile, Shane Lowry had to clarify at one point during his Monday press conference that he's not actually the defending champion. But such is the lingering impact of his 2019 victory and the haste with which the R&A have returned to Portrush, it feels like he has only this week handed back the Claret Jug. Lowry said this week he is a better golfer than he was six years ago – stats and rankings make this an indisputable claim – but he has too often struggled to show the kind of finishing prowess he showcased so gloriously in 2019. His consistency has also recently deserted him at the majors, missing the cut at the PGA Championship and the US Open. Even if he can flip that form line, he has the issue of an in-form field. Jon Rahm appears to the be the consensus favourite in the media centre at least: he has won two Irish Opens – one of which was at the nearby Portstewart – and has been a consistent threat at all the majors this year. Scottie Scheffler is a relative novice at links golf but he nonetheless has the artistry to excel by the sea, while the actual defending champ – Xander Schauffele – has eased himself back into form just in time for his tilt to be the first back-to-back winner of the Claret Jug since Pádraig Harrington. Harrington has been given the honour of hitting the first tee shot, a ceremonial role for a not-yet-ceremonial golfer. 'I don't want to be known as a ceremonial golfer', he says. 'I don't feel like I am at the moment, and I'm prepared to put that aside to have that honour.' Harrington will play alongside Tom McKibbin, who is seeking to burnish his talent with a reputation to match. A member of Royal Portrush, the big-hitting McKibbin is one of the best drivers on LIV and if he can play it from the fairway, he can easily fulfil his target of a best major finish yet, which was a T41 at last year's US Open. McKibbin has the benefit of familiarity with a course that will allow for compulsive viewing throughout the week, unlike the painfully one-note hosts of the two previous men's majors. Links golf is escape room golf: there's generally a route to safety, but you have to get creative in finding it. All of McIlroy, Lowry, and McKibbin independently pointed to how well bunkered the course is, meaning players will have to carefully choose their club on every tee box. While finding the fairway is vital, this is not the bomb-and-gouge festival thrown every week by the PGA Tour. Asked as to what makes this his favourite golf course, Harrington instantly pointed to its risk-reward element, saying no course on the Open rota throws up such variations in scoring on certain holes. The par-five seventh hole, for instance, yielded more eagles than any other in 2019, but it was on this very same hole that David Duval made a 14 during his opening round. Shane Lowry provided an electric, irresistible finish here six years ago, and there's only one man who can possibly deliver anything greater on this Sunday. But even if Rory McIlroy cannot quite rise to meet the soaring moment, then we'll be satisfied with the rugged, sober star power of Royal Portrush itself. Tips Jon Rahm to win – 11/1 Russell Henley e/w – 60/1 Tom Kim e/w – 100/1 Selected tee times – Round 1 6:35 am | Padraig Harrington, Nicolai Hojgaard, Tom McKibbin Related Reads Scheffler's press conference answer goes viral and leaves rivals facing deep and difficult questions Shane Lowry learning to embrace the struggle that paved the way to his first Open triumph To understand Rory McIlroy, you have to understand his relationship with Royal Portrush 7:52 am | Darren Clarke, Davis Riley, Lucas Herbert 9:58 am | Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Jon Rahm 10:09 am | Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler 2:48 pm | Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose 2:59 pm | Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland 3:10 pm | Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood Selected tee times – Round 2 9:47 am | Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose 9:58 am | Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland 10:09 am | Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood 11:26 am | Padraig Harrington, Nicolai Hojgaard, Tom McKibbin 12:53 pm | Darren Clarke, Davis Riley, Lucas Herbert 2:59 pm | Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Jon Rahm 3:10 pm | Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
The Open Diary: Turnberry question isn't going away
Turnberry hasn't staged an Open Championship since 2009 but, if it's been out of sight then it is in no way out of mind. Bought by Donald Trump in 2014, the question as to whether it will host again is one that crops up again and again. R&A chief executive Mark Darbon reiterated on Wednesday the 'logistical challenges' making another staging there difficult and pointed to issues surrounding road, rail and accommodation infrastructure at a venue that held half the crowd expected at Royal Portrush this week. But the suspicion remains that Trump and the noise around the US president remains a sticking point. 'I met a couple of months ago with Eric Trump and some of the leadership from the Trump golf organisation and from Turnberry,' said Darbon. 'We had a really good discussion. 'I think they understand clearly where we're coming from. We talked through some of the challenges that we have so we've got a good dialogue with them.' Cheap at the price? There's talk of The Open generating a couple of hundred million pounds for the local economy here this week, and anyone putting their hands in their pockets to take in some of the action over what is now a week-long affair will probably understand why. Sporting events just don't come cheap anymore. A basic ticket to get inside the grounds here on day one costs €115, rising to €150 by Sunday. Premium packages went for a lot more than that, of course. First things first, though. You have to get there. Fuel for the car is one thing, then there's the €25 per day for the park-and-ride. A programme will set you back €14, a cheeseburger €12.70 and a pint of Guinness or lager a stiff €9. All this on the back of the story that went viral earlier this week of the Ramore restaurant group in Portrush that hiked up their prices to eye-watering levels before partially bringing them back down in the face of the criticism. We haven't dared venture into the on-course merchandise store yet. Deep breath… Open gives way to Sons of Ulster Saturday evening's event by Portrush Sons of Ulster, involving 70 bands and roughly 2,000 people, has prompted the third round of The Open, due to finish around the same time, to be brought forward by 15 minutes. Darbon stressed that the R&A and its retinue are guests in the community this week and that they have worked with various stakeholders to ensure that both events can 'run as seamlessly as possible'. He called the changes 'marginal adjustments' but opted against giving a direct answer when asked to respond to reports recently that the R&A had offered the other event's organisers £20,000 to alter their schedule to avoid any crossover. 'We're actually contributing some incremental costs to support what I just said, the seamless operation of both events. We try and be good citizens in the communities in which we operate when we come to town. "When you're staging a major event, security is always… Security and the safety of your guests and the experience of your guests is always a prime consideration. This is no different. That's why that multi-agency approach is so critical.'
