‘Everything is in a really good spot' – Rory McIlroy feels ready for Royal Portrush tilt after going close at Scottish Open
The world No 2 went into the final four tied for the lead with Chris Gotterup, but while the American (25) won their duel, carding a four-under 66 to McIlroy's 68 to clinch one of three spots in the field this week, McIlroy could only see the positives.
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Irish Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
The Open live updates as action begins at Royal Portrush
Two-time champion Padraig Harrington got the 153rd Open Championship under way, backed by loud Irish support at Royal Portrush. With watery sunshine breaking through the clouds overhead and a stiff breeze blowing right-to-left and into his face the 53-year-old, who won back-to-back Claret Jugs in 2007 and 2008, was given the honour of hitting the opening shot at 6.35am. Harrington took an iron and hit the middle of the fairway – which was more than Rory McIlroy did six years ago when the tournament returned to the Dunluce Links after finding out of bounds down the left on his first morning – and responded with a beaming smile, PA report. Despite being given the honour Harrington, who won the US Senior Open a fortnight ago, is determined to compete as he bids to become the oldest winner of the Claret Jug. 'I still think I'm a player but I'm quite happy to take the ceremonial position of hitting the first shot. I have to create my own reality and in my reality I can win,' he said on Wednesday. There was almost as much noise for 22-year-old Tom McKibbin, from McIlroy's Holywood club an hour down the road, whose tee shot crept into the left rough, while Ryder Cup winner Nicolai Hojgaard also found the fairway. Harrington hit his approach to 18 feet and holed his birdie attempt, which was greeted by a loud roar and another broad grin from the Irishman, but McKibbin took three to get to the green for a bogey. The morning starters, which included world number one and US PGA champion Scottie Scheffler playing alongside Irish 2019 champion Shane Lowry and former winner Collin Morikawa off at 10.09am, were likely to get the best of the weather. That also meant the group ahead of Xander Schauffele, beginning his defence of the Claret Jug, Jon Rahm and US Open champion JJ Spaun would also be likely beneficiaries. Conversely McIlroy, not due out until 3.10pm with Ryder Cup team-mate Tommy Fleetwood and American rival Justin Thomas, was facing a greater chance of rain, some of it heavy, with winds gusting up to 20mph. Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, second at last month's US Open, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth, European Ryder Cup partners Ludvig Aberg and Viktor Hovland, were also paired together in the two groups immediately prior to McIlroy.
Extra.ie
27 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Harrington refuses to be written off in Portrush
After telling us he was preparing to rest for the afternoon to ensure he was ready for his 6.35 am start this morning, Pádraig Harrington then proceeded to stand and give almost half an hour of his time under a beaming Portrush sun. Above him were dunes fringed with yellow grass, and beyond that, the grandstand and the spectator village and the vast tournament shop extended out towards the north Atlantic. Punters had streamed in from early yesterday morning, the final practice day before Harrington hits the first shot at the 153rd Open this morning. It's a ceremonial honour he admits he wondered about, given his competitive spirit. 16 July 2025; Padraig Harrington of Ireland during a practice round at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Antrim, ahead of The 153rd Open Championship. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile The weather was terrific yesterday, which it won't be for much of the coming four days, if the forecasts are accurate. The shop was packed, and so were the concessions selling beer and fast food. Days like this, in weather like this, have the feel of a fair day. It didn't have the tautness of a big sporting contest, but rather the giddiness of a big day out. By tea-time tonight, it will be transformed. Not only will the skies have darkened, but moods will have, too. This is one of the most admired links courses in the world, but treachery will lurk behind every shot if the rains fall heavily, and the wind gets up. 16 July 2025; Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland during a practice round at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Antrim, ahead of The 153rd Open Championship. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile Sensible people are tempering their predictions, and with good reason: what tentative pecking orders have been suggested could have been blown out to sea by the end of today. For now, though, attention is concentrated on Rory McIlroy: as the local hero, as one of the superstars in the field, and as a man who had a wretched time here in 2019, when the Open was in Portrush and Shane Lowry won. He missed the cut that year, on a course where he famously shot 61 as a 16-year-old. But then most of what McIlroy does is famous, and the crowds will be deep and unyielding when he tees off at 3.10pm. Shane Lowry is off at 10.09am, another popular native contender but with an uncertain hold on his form. Uncertainty is one of the glories of sport, and it will be a constant for the next four days. Nothing can be assumed. Glory will be hard-earned, and if there is an Irish winner come Sunday evening, it will be celebrated long and loud. There are five Irish players in the field, with Tom McKibbin joining Harrington and Nicolai Hojgaard for this morning's early start.
Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
The Open Day One: Live updates from Royal Portrush
0 minutes ago Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Open Championship from Royal Portrush , only the third Major ever to be hosted on the island of Ireland. Last time out here, Shane Lowry created one of the greatest weeks in Irish sporting history by winning the Claret Jug in 2019. He would love to do it again and he tees off at 10.09am. Already on the course are Pádraig Harrington (who hit the opening tee shot), Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke. Lowry tees off in the marquee group of the morning with world number one Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa at 10.09am. Later, Rory McIlroy continues the home charge when he tees off with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas at 3.10pm. The whole of Northern Ireland will be watching that one. By that stage, Mary Hannigan will be joining the blog to give you updates, but for now, it's myself to bring you through the morning action, as soon as I get set up. If you'd like to know all the tee times and more information about the event, check my guide here: [ The Open 2025: Tee times, TV details, weather forecast, players to watch Opens in new window ]
