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Irish Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Golf star one shot off leaders after 'a few pints of Guinness' on eve of Open
Tyrrell Hatton prepared for the Open by playing a six-ball with his wife and friends on a local course on Wednesday – followed by 'a few pints of Guinness'. The world No.23 followed that up with an opening 68 on Thursday to sit a shot off the lead shared by Matt Fitzpatrick. LIV star Hatton said: 'To be honest, it reminded me of being a kid again and playing the local course. We had a few pints of Guinness afterwards. 'Some people might say it is not the best preparation for a Major, but it was good for me. I'm happy with how I played.' Fitzpatrick revealed he has bounced back from the 'lowest' point of his career to shoot his best opening round at a Major. The Yorkshireman spent close to two years in the world's top ten after his 2022 US Open triumph. But he slumped to No.85 earlier this year and sacked his veteran caddie Billy Foster after hitting rock-bottom and missing the cut at The Players. Fitzpatrick, 30, has started to rediscover his old form after working with new coach Mark Blackburn since April. The Sheffield star shot a superb 67 in the wind and rain – helped by an outrageous chip-in birdie at Calamity Corner. 'Sometimes you need that bit of luck, but I just felt like I did everything well,' Fitzpatrick said. 'I've been playing well recently. I was in a low place this year and even last year. The Players this year was the low point. It was really bad, and even Valero, a couple of weeks later, I couldn't find the face with the ball. It was just not good. That's the lowest I've been in my career. 'Statistically, it could be my worst run as well. I just didn't feel good or know where it was going. 'The turning point was at RBC when I saw Mark for the first time. I have changed my technique with my irons. I am proud of the results. I feel I have ground my way out of where I was.' Last year's Amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen also shot a 67 in his first Major since turning pro at the end of last year. Hoylake's Matthew Jordan is a shot back after shooting a 68 – his best Major score – as he seeks a third-consecutive top-ten finish at the Open. The world No.152 said: 'I know I made a couple mistakes, but that was probably the best I've played.' Masters runner-up Justin Rose was one of only two players, along with Li Haotong, to keep a bogey off his card.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Rory McIlroy makes strong Open 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.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- 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.
The Herald Scotland
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
An all-around good day – England's Matt Fitzpatrick takes share of Open lead
Fitzpatrick was eighth in May's US PGA Championship, but that was a high point in an otherwise disappointing season until back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last two events pointed towards an upturn. Calamity Corner class. Matt Fitzpatrick makes birdie to tie the lead. Listen in on The Open Radio. — The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 And that timing was impeccable as he got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, although he immediately bogeyed the next. Two more birdies were to follow, but the highlight was holing out for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th which put him into a share of the lead set by world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Li Haotong. 'Obviously I felt like The Players was a pretty low point,' said Fitzpatrick of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March. 'That's the lowest I've felt in my career. 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. 'It was really bad and even Valero, kind of a couple of weeks later, I couldn't find the face with the ball. It was just not good. 'Today I just felt like I did everything well. Just drove it well, approach play was good and chipped and putted well. It was just an all-around good day.' Denmark's Jacob Skov Olesen only turned professional in November (Peter Byrne/PA). 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. '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. Lee Westwood enjoyed a strong opening round (Mike Egerton/PA). 'I always feel like, if I play my game, I can do well, especially around links courses, but it hasn't been very good golf the last couple of months.' England's Matthew Jordan, seeking his third successive top-10 Open finish, was a shot further back, while behind him 52-year-old Lee Westwood rolled back the years on the 30th anniversary of his first Open appearance with a 69. World number one Scottie Scheffler was one under through 16 holes, as was Sergio Garcia at the turn on his return to The Open after missing the last two events.
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
An all-around good day – England's Matt Fitzpatrick takes share of Open lead
As he was finishing, home favourite Rory McIlroy was only just teeing off and, while he avoided the sort of nightmare start he endured here in 2019 when he went out of bounds at the first for a quadruple bogey, the Northern Irishman missed a short par putt, much to the disappointment of the thousands of who had come to see golf's newest member of the career Grand Slam club. Fitzpatrick was eighth in May's US PGA Championship, but that was a high point in an otherwise disappointing season until back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last two events pointed towards an upturn. And that timing was impeccable as he got off to a flying start with a 22-foot eagle putt at the second hole, although he immediately bogeyed the next. Two more birdies were to follow, but the highlight was holing out for birdie from the steep bank on the treacherous Calamity Corner par-three 16th which put him into a share of the lead set by world number 354 Jacob Skov Olesen and China's Li Haotong. 'Obviously I felt like The Players was a pretty low point,' said Fitzpatrick of missing the cut at Sawgrass in March. 'That's the lowest I've felt in my career. 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. 'It was really bad and even Valero, kind of a couple of weeks later, I couldn't find the face with the ball. It was just not good. 'Today I just felt like I did everything well. Just 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. '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. 'I always feel like, if I play my game, I can do well, especially around links courses, but it hasn't been very good golf the last couple of months.' England's Matthew Jordan, seeking his third successive top-10 Open finish, was a shot further back, while behind him 52-year-old Lee Westwood rolled back the years on the 30th anniversary of his first Open appearance with a 69. World number one Scottie Scheffler was one under through 16 holes, as was Sergio Garcia at the turn on his return to The Open after missing the last two events.
