The Open: Rory McIlroy enjoys privilege previously 'only for Tiger' while Saturday action ‘tweaked' due to parade
Gareth Hanna
See you bright and early!
The practice is done, The Open is here. 6.35am start. Don't be late! (Or if you are, we'll have been here to let you catch up on what you've missed... that's the whole point!)
Belfast Telegraph on Instagram: "The Open Championship at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019"
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Today 05:28 PM
Gareth Hanna
Selected round one tee times
Here are our pick of tomorrow's groupings - Irish players in bold:
6.35am: Padraig Harrington, Tom McKibbin, Nicolai Hojgaard
7.19am: Phil Mickelson, Daniel Van Tonder, Ryan Peake
7.52am: Darren Clarke, Davis Riley, Lucas Herbert
8.14am: Thomas Detrey, Chris Gotterup, Lee Westwood
9.25am: Hideki Matsuyama, Ryan Fox, Matt Fitzpatrick
9.47am: Sam Burns, Aldrich Potgieter, Brooks Koepka
9.58am: Xander Schauffele, JJ Spaun, Jon Rahm
10.09am: Shane Lowry, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler
2.48pm: Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose
2.59pm: Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland
3.10pm: Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood
3.21pm: Harris English, Nick Taylor, Tony Finau
Today 05:17 PM
Rory's first tee struggles?
Emmmm, not to alarm anyone ahead of tomorrow but the reports of this quote aren't exactly what we want to hear. Remember, Rory teed off early on Monday and Tuesday and nobody saw him hitting those shots. He did, however, get it safely off the first tee today, hitting an iron down the right side, just short of the bunker. The context of all this, of course, is his tee-shot out of bounds left in the first round in 2019, which ultimately led to an opening quadruple bogey 8 and him missing the cut by a shot. So quite why his putting coach would say this is a bit of a mystery. Just pretend we didn't mention anything...
Jamie Kennedy on Twitter / X
Oh boy....Brad Faxon said on @GolfChannel's "Live From" that Rory hit it out-of-bounds on the first tee on Monday... and Tuesday this week."He hasn't hit that fairway in his first two practice rounds. He hit both tee shots out-of-bounds on Monday and Tuesday."(He famously… pic.twitter.com/dlCAf73PcE— Jamie Kennedy (@jamierkennedy) July 16, 2025
Today 04:45 PM
Gareth Hanna
Fan favourite: Bryson DeChambeau
It's hard to really appreciate the absolute totality of Bryson DeChambeau's 180 degree turn of public perception. The one-time villain of tour golf, he has been roared around the course this week by an adoring fanbase, and he's been in his element, interacting with the supporters at every turn. He tees off tomorrow at 2.48pm with Robert MacIntyre and Justin Rose. If he could do it this week, perhaps only Rory would be a more popular winner. Things you didn't think you'd be saying...
Golf Channel on Twitter / X
Bryson DeChambeau bonus driver by popular request from the Royal Portrush fans. 🫡🎥 @TheOpen pic.twitter.com/kxnUn3NvhW— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) July 16, 2025
Today 04:42 PM
Gareth Hanna
Padraig Harrington with the big line of the week
Paul Kelly on Twitter / X
We may have reached peak preview here - @kclairerogers @padraig_h on Open ice-creams #TheOpen "I will have to say, in my considered opinion, we do the best 99s here. I've tested a 99 at every Open venue, and these are definitely the biggest and the nicest so far. pic.twitter.com/MMhH1iG8bw— Paul Kelly (@KellyPrc) July 16, 2025
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Today 04:26 PM
Gareth Hanna
Fancy some merch?
You better be ready to queue. The snake to get into the shop is only getting longer - and you'd imagine it'll be at least this length constantly during the tournament days.
Will you sign my armband?
Firstly, if you're out and about this week, say hello and thank you to the friendly marshals around the course who are helping keep you safe at The Open. They're doing a great job.
People like Evangelina Hastings of Royal Portrush, for instance, who was delighted when she asked two-time Major champion Justin Thomas for a selfie on the 18th and not only did he agree but he signed her armband, too!
Today 03:59 PM
Gareth Hanna
Almost an ace on Calamity
Spieth hopped the rope from 8 to reach 16, where he hit two rather contrasting tee shots. The first one was one that will have looked familiar to many - weak, right and down the slope. The second, however, was absolutely perfect. And judging by the 'ooooh' from the fans at the green, was very close to going in.
Today 03:42 PM
Gareth Hanna
The Open Camping Village
For those looking for a bit of shelter at night, The Open Camping Village at Ulster University's Coleraine campus is one option.
Tourism NI said around 4,800 guests will stay at the site this – the equivalent of an Open record 11,500 total bed nights. That surpasses the previous highest number of 10,000 at St Andrews in 2022.
Around 3,500 free bed nights for under 25s have been booked, while adult camping is priced from £55 per person per night.
Today 03:39 PM
Adam McKendry
Does he Hov a chance?
Norway's Viktor Hovland has had his fair share of ups and downs over the last couple of years but has shown signs of a mini-resurgence over the last few months, rising to 12th in the Data Golf Rankings, and he has been lapping up the support of the fans around Royal Portrush today. The 27-year-old has finished in the top-15 in three of his four Open appearances - including a tied-fourth in 2022 - but missed the cut at Royal Troon last year.
Today 03:35 PM
Gareth Hanna
Drive for show…
Spieth's putting display is my 'low-key impressive' moment of the week. He hit three putt from around 40 feet and stopped them all within a foot or two of each other. Not as easy as it looks!
Today 03:32 PM
Gareth Hanna
How do you solve a problem like the fifth?
It will be interesting to see how many players take the driver at the picturesque fifth hole as it winds downhill towards the green. Spieth tried out both driver a three wood. The driver was A1 and the wood was also in good position, just taking the bunkers out of play a little further back. It seems like the more sensible play when it comes to tomorrow - especially after Rory's lost ball episode round the green yesterday.
Today 02:53 PM
What it's like to follow Rory McIlroy: 'Only for Tiger'
On the eighth hole while following Rory McIlroy, I turned to the Sunday Independent 's Paul Kimmage, walking along beside me, and asked had he ever seen as big a crowd for a practice round ever before.
"Only for Tiger," he replied.
That is the magnitude of what is happening at Royal Portrush this week. For the last two days, McIlroy has snuck out before the gates opened and got the bulk of his preparation done with minimal fuss. Today, he embraced the fans and let them all enjoy him for nine holes, and boy they did.
At points on the course they were three deep. When he and Christiaan Bezuidenhout came to the ninth hole, not only was that grandstand behind the green full but so was the neighbouring 11th's. Both sides of the fairway were rammed.
At every part of the course, fans clamoured for selfies and autographs, eager to have a memento of their time watching the Grand Slam hero up close, ignoring McIlroy's pleas to wait until he was done with his nine holes - which was a completely fair request given the number of people wanting something signed.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder and that is clear to see that Northern Ireland have missed the Masters champion and it's not much of a surprise to see him command most of the support. Can he carry that weight of expectation when the action gets under way for real tomorrow? We'll see.
As for the golf? McIlroy birdied the second, fifth, seventh and eighth. Do that tomorrow and he'll be flying.
Today 02:51 PM
Gareth Hanna
'It's 275 - should carry it'
If ever we needed a reminder that these guys are playing a different game. Into the breeze on 4, Spieth assesses the danger of the first bunker and how he can take it out of play.
In the end he faded it off the bunker into absolutely perfect place. Good job too, because he wouldn't have carried it.
Today 02:45 PM
Gareth Hanna
Friends of a star
Emily Hannaway and Lawrence Dunn are from Atlanta, Georgia, and are here in memory of a golfer in their family - and also to see their friend from home, competitor Stewart Cink. The 2009 Open champion is set to begin his first round at 11.26am tomorrow alongside Matteo Manassero and Marc Leishman.
Today 02:41 PM
Happy Harrington
The 53-year-old insists he is not going to just make up the numbers at Royal Portrush after being handed the annual honorary first tee time at this year's Open Championship, traditionally given by the R&A to a noteworthy player but one that is not considered to actually be in contention.
Padraig Harrington insists Open ceremonial tee will not dull his competitiveness
Two-time Open champion Padraig Harrington appreciates the honour of being asked to get the tournament at Royal Portrush under way but insists the ceremonial duty will not dull his competitive edge.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 02:37 PM
Gareth Hanna
Green testing
Spieth is flopping plenty of shots round the green, although all these guys will realise today's flat calm conditions make these shots behave very different to tomorrow, when it gives a slightly more turbulent outlook
Today 02:31 PM
Gareth Hanna
The Dame!
Dame Laura Davies is out on the course - and even had a grin for photographer John! What a legend of the game. She has four major titles to her name, and entered the World Golf Hall of Game in 2015.
Today 02:22 PM
Gareth Hanna
Long-range Spieth selfie
This is Spencer and Tim from Australia, who are on a European tour and have stopped off at the golf. They shouted over for a selfie and Jordan Spieth told them to point the camera! Nice one.
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Belfast Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Rory McIlroy one off the lead and meet the Buddhist monk who's also in contention
Key updates Meet the Buddhist monk who's one shot off the lead Pivotal point in Rory's week already? The Open Guinness tracker: Where's the cheapest pint in Portrush this week? Darren Clarke on shooting a 75: 'Maybe I should have spent more time in the Harbour Bar!' Round one tee times one minute ago Gareth Hanna Hands across Hadrian's Wall Scot Robert MacIntyre and English Justin Rose are having a nice battle in their group, both under par since the middle of their front nines. It's just gone advantage England as Rose holed for birdie on 11 to go to -2, one clear of MacIntyre who was forced to make a nice recovery for par. Solid. 6 minutes ago BIRDIE! The crowd go wild as this one drops for McIlroy and he's one shot off the lead at -3 after his third birdie in six holes! 9 minutes ago Rory's roring again The approach play over the last few holes in particular has been sublime from McIlroy and he's pulled another rabbit out of the hat on the par-four 10th, chopping it out of the rough to the left of the fairway and using the contours of the green to roll it up to six feet shy of the pin and another birdie chance. It doesn't have to drop but, after the disappointment of the eighth, it would be a very timely one to see go in. 15 minutes ago Gareth Hanna What about the adopted Ulsterman? A huge hit with the fans this week but Bryson DeChambeau hasn't made a single birdie out there today at +3 through 10. A double at four, when he had trouble on the bank, did most of the damage. Also successfully birdie-free is Jordan Spieth in the afternoon's second featured group, and a shot worse off after a front nine 40. Ouch. 20 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Is there a hole there? Three putts, three misses for Rory's group on nine which means par for McIlroy (-2), bogey for Fleetwood (+2) and double for Thomas (E). 'I thought I was going to black out': Estonian amateur Richard Teder, who chipped in in a Play-Off to qualify for the event and shot 74 His nerves over his first tee shot:"A bit crazy on the 1st hole. I thought I was going to black out. I told myself it's another golf shot. It's a 2-iron, my favourite club. The whole day was just unbelievable. The crowds, the fans. It was special." Royal Portrush:"The course is very difficult. If you hit a bad shot, you're not in a good spot. Hit loads of great shots today, just my putter wasn't really working today, which just happens. It's golf, right? But I'm happy about today." Can he make the cut?:"Just try to hang in there, to be honest. Make a lot of pars. Just couldn't make any putts, which 3-over is not that bad for not making anything. I'm happy." 34 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Mixed fortunes at nine Iron off the tee for Rory and it's perfectly 259 yards down the middle, while Fleetwood and JT find the rough either side of the fairway. Rory safely on in two while the other pair can only pitch out short. With his third, JT short-sides himself again and that's a very tough up and down just to save bogey. He could be on his way back to level par. Fleetwood gives himself a chance for par from 15 feet. 34 minutes ago Anybody else want the lead? It's now a SIX-way tie as Lucas Glover, who started birdie-eagle but had done nothing since, has taken advantage of the par-five seventh and he gets to -4 too! Will anybody actually bother to get to -5 or is that as good as it's going to get? There's also a move from France's Romain Langasque, who has picked up three shots in two holes by birdieing the 11th and then eagling the 12th to get to -3! 42 minutes ago Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Rory misses the birdie putt. Gave it too much break on the right-hand side and the six-footer stays above ground. That would have been the one to light the touch paper. Instead he stays -2 and two back of the leading quintet. Meanwhile, it ended up being a good hole for Justin Thomas as he chips in from short of the green for birdie and he's up to -2! 44 minutes ago You Bez believe it again! We have a five-way tie for the lead as Christiaan Bezuidenhout comes up with the goods on the par-five 12th, hitting the green in two and driving in the 27-foot eagle putt to move to -4! 46 minutes ago Rory. McIlroy. Fresh off nearly holing out for eagle on the seventh, Rory McIlroy nearly does the same thing on the par-four eighth as he follows up a 300-yard drive into the wind with a majestic wedge that carves through the air and lands an inch from the pin! That'll be another short putt for birdie to go one shot off the lead! 49 minutes ago Hot Harris I haven't seen a single shot he has played today, even though he's in the group behind Rory McIlroy and is now tied for the lead, but Harris English moves to four-under-par with his fifth birdie in his opening seven holes! He's even had time to drop a shot and, amazingly, it was on the par-four fifth which is the easiest hole on the course! This has to go down as a psycho scorecard. 54 minutes ago He's in the zone McIlroy. Eighth tee. Pulverised straight down the middle and the tee is out of the ground before the ball has even reached its apex. We're cooking with gas now. 57 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Rory McIlroy - within two Tap in putt secured and the crowd goes up another notch. They feel like it's on! Birdies all round - Fleetwood is having one of those days where every putt is a near miss. And such is the case for his eagle attempt. After 7 McIlroy -2 Thomas -1 Fleetwood +1 57 minutes ago Worth a few Bob Robert MacIntyre is a links specialist and he's proven it once again with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth to move to -3 and one shot off the lead! He's talked in the build-up to this tournament that he loves Royal Portrush - will the course give some love back to him this week? Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton is still at -3 after finishing the ninth hole but only after draining a monster putt for par following a chip shot that went too long from right of the green. Those are momentum savers. Today 04:22 PM Gareth Hanna It's getting going out here now Super pitch nipped in and Rory has what looks like a kick in birdie from here. He should pitch out on every hole! The fans are going for it now. That should be him up to -2 and they can sense a march is coming. Eagle attempt up the hill coming for Fleetwood after a super second while JT is just out the back in two. Today 04:14 PM Gareth Hanna Hold up on hole seven A long wait as three groups are all on the par five seventh at once. Never does anybody any good, that. And Rory hits it left. It's thick and lying down with some thick stuff folding in around it. Won't be getting up in two but that did him a favour on the second. Rory lucky enough with the second shot as it takes one hop in the thick stuff and comes back down into the semi rough. He can't see it from where he is and will be pleasantly surprised with that result. Fleetwood and JT are all good off the tee so could go for it in two. Today 04:10 PM Meet the Buddhist monk who's one shot off the lead Sadom Kaewkanjana is 262nd in the world rankings. Sadom Kaewkanjana has never played at a level higher than the Asian Tour. Sadom Kaewkanjana has played in just one event since May and missed the cut in it. Sadom Kaewkanjana is an ordained Buddhist monk. Sadom Kaewkanjana didn't have any luggage until 8pm on Wednesday because it got lost in transit from Thailand. Sadom Kaewkanjana is currently one shot off the lead at The Open Championship after parring the last for a three-under-par 68, the same score as the World No.1. Because golf. Today 03:59 PM Keep your Hatton Tyrrell Hatton, who has finished in the top-10 of a Major twice in the last two years, is threatening again as he has an eagle putt on the par-five seventh to take a share of the lead... no. It stays short but it's a tap-in for birdie and the Englishman makes it another LIV player in the mix as he moves one shot back of the lead trio. All of a sudden the leaderboard is becoming quite bunched, to the extent that -1 is tied-19th. Live Blog Software
Belfast Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Rory McIlroy hunting down the leaders as crowd sense a charge while Scottie Scheffler goes low on day one
Key updates Pivotal point in Rory's week already? The Open Guinness tracker: Where's the cheapest pint in Portrush this week? Darren Clarke on shooting a 75: 'Maybe I should have spent more time in the Harbour Bar!' Round one tee times 2 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Is there a hole there? Three putts, three misses for Rory's group on nine which means par for McIlroy (-2), bogey for Fleetwood (+2) and double for Thomas (E). 'I thought I was going to black out': Estonian amateur Richard Teder, who chipped in in a Play-Off to qualify for the event and shot 74 His nerves over his first tee shot:"A bit crazy on the 1st hole. I thought I was going to black out. I told myself it's another golf shot. It's a 2-iron, my favourite club. The whole day was just unbelievable. The crowds, the fans. It was special." Royal Portrush:"The course is very difficult. If you hit a bad shot, you're not in a good spot. Hit loads of great shots today, just my putter wasn't really working today, which just happens. It's golf, right? But I'm happy about today." Can he make the cut?:"Just try to hang in there, to be honest. Make a lot of pars. Just couldn't make any putts, which 3-over is not that bad for not making anything. I'm happy." 16 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Mixed fortunes at nine Iron off the tee for Rory and it's perfectly 259 yards down the middle, while Fleetwood and JT find the rough either side of the fairway. Rory safely on in two while the other pair can only pitch out short. With his third, JT short-sides himself again and that's a very tough up and down just to save bogey. He could be on his way back to level par. Fleetwood gives himself a chance for par from 15 feet. 16 minutes ago Anybody else want the lead? It's now a SIX-way tie as Lucas Glover, who started birdie-eagle but had done nothing since, has taken advantage of the par-five seventh and he gets to -4 too! Will anybody actually bother to get to -5 or is that as good as it's going to get? There's also a move from France's Romain Langasque, who has picked up three shots in two holes by birdieing the 11th and then eagling the 12th to get to -3! 24 minutes ago Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Rory misses the birdie putt. Gave it too much break on the right-hand side and the six-footer stays above ground. That would have been the one to light the touch paper. Instead he stays -2 and two back of the leading quintet. Meanwhile, it ended up being a good hole for Justin Thomas as he chips in from short of the green for birdie and he's up to -2! 26 minutes ago You Bez believe it again! We have a five-way tie for the lead as Christiaan Bezuidenhout comes up with the goods on the par-five 12th, hitting the green in two and driving in the 27-foot eagle putt to move to -4! 28 minutes ago Rory. McIlroy. Fresh off nearly holing out for eagle on the seventh, Rory McIlroy nearly does the same thing on the par-four eighth as he follows up a 300-yard drive into the wind with a majestic wedge that carves through the air and lands an inch from the pin! That'll be another short putt for birdie to go one shot off the lead! 31 minutes ago Hot Harris I haven't seen a single shot he has played today, even though he's in the group behind Rory McIlroy and is now tied for the lead, but Harris English moves to four-under-par with his fifth birdie in his opening seven holes! He's even had time to drop a shot and, amazingly, it was on the par-four fifth which is the easiest hole on the course! This has to go down as a psycho scorecard. 36 minutes ago He's in the zone McIlroy. Eighth tee. Pulverised straight down the middle and the tee is out of the ground before the ball has even reached its apex. We're cooking with gas now. 39 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Rory McIlroy - within two Tap in putt secured and the crowd goes up another notch. They feel like it's on! Birdies all round - Fleetwood is having one of those days where every putt is a near miss. And such is the case for his eagle attempt. After 7 McIlroy -2 Thomas -1 Fleetwood +1 39 minutes ago Worth a few Bob Robert MacIntyre is a links specialist and he's proven it once again with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth to move to -3 and one shot off the lead! He's talked in the build-up to this tournament that he loves Royal Portrush - will the course give some love back to him this week? Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton is still at -3 after finishing the ninth hole but only after draining a monster putt for par following a chip shot that went too long from right of the green. Those are momentum savers. 48 minutes ago It's getting going out here now Super pitch nipped in and Rory has what looks like a kick in birdie from here. He should pitch out on every hole! The fans are going for it now. That should be him up to -2 and they can sense a march is coming. Eagle attempt up the hill coming for Fleetwood after a super second while JT is just out the back in two. 55 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Hold up on hole seven A long wait as three groups are all on the par five seventh at once. Never does anybody any good, that. And Rory hits it left. It's thick and lying down with some thick stuff folding in around it. Won't be getting up in two but that did him a favour on the second. Rory lucky enough with the second shot as it takes one hop in the thick stuff and comes back down into the semi rough. He can't see it from where he is and will be pleasantly surprised with that result. Fleetwood and JT are all good off the tee so could go for it in two. 60 minutes ago The joy of The Open Sadom Kaewkanjana is 262nd in the world rankings. Sadom Kaewkanjana has never played at a level higher than the Asian Tour. Sadom Kaewkanjana has played in just one event since May and missed the cut in it. Sadom Kaewkanjana is an ordained Buddhist monk. Sadom Kaewkanjana didn't have any luggage for the early part of the week because it got lost in transit from Thailand. Sadom Kaewkanjana is currently one shot off the lead at The Open Championship after parring the last for a three-under-par 68, the same score as the World No.1. Because golf. Today 03:59 PM Keep your Hatton Tyrrell Hatton, who has finished in the top-10 of a Major twice in the last two years, is threatening again as he has an eagle putt on the par-five seventh to take a share of the lead... no. It stays short but it's a tap-in for birdie and the Englishman makes it another LIV player in the mix as he moves one shot back of the lead trio. All of a sudden the leaderboard is becoming quite bunched, to the extent that -1 is tied-19th. Today 03:57 PM Gareth Hanna Rory had that, you know Par at the par three 6th for McIlroy as his birdie putt stops a foot short. Looked like it was going in if it had been hit. Almost a super two from Fleetwood as his curling putt the length of the green lips out at the back edge after a lovely punched approach. Thomas shortsided himself off the tee - his chip was as good as was possible up the slope but his 20 footer stops short. McIlroy: -1 Thomas: E Fleetwood: +2 Today 03:48 PM Three-way tie at the top Just as soon as Aaron Rai moved up to the top, he's back down into fourth once more as he bogeys the par-four ninth, so he drops back to -3 and Olesen, Li and Fitzpatrick are the leaders again. Harris English, meanwhile, birdies the first, second and fourth to get to -3 thru four. Great start for him, as it is for Maverick McNealy, who has birdied three of his last four holes to reach -3 thru seven. Today 03:47 PM Gareth Hanna ROOOOAARRRYYYY 'It's an unexpected birdie, coming back from a mistake like that.' So says the fan behind me, who should be a commentator, as Rory rails it up the slope and in the middle door. No such luck for Tommy whose bunker trouble has yielded successive bogeys. After 5 it's: McIlroy: -1 Thomas: -1 Fleetwood: +2 Today 03:42 PM Gareth Hanna 'It's no good there - we've been standing three hours waiting' You've got to feel for the fans who think they're in perfect place only for a TV camera to get plonked in front of them. To be fair the fan and the camera man in this case have an amicable discussion and the cameraman pops off again before the group takes to the green. A win for humanity. Live Blog Software
Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- 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.'
