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Irish Independent
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The Open: Rory McIlroy fights hard at Portrush as brilliant Scottie Scheffler storms clear
live | We'll bring you live updates here across the week Today at 06:30 It's a massive week in Royal Portrush as the 153rd Open Championship takes place. We will bring you all the action from the course all week as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry lead the Irish challenge. 3 minutes ago Adam McKendry Scheffler in the thick of it He's drawn an ugly lie off the tee on the 14th down the left-hand side by the looks of things on the TV. How far he can advance it towards the green is another. This may be a hack out and rely on the short game job. And it will be. He does extremely well to advance it to just shy of the green and an up-and-down is needed to save par. 4 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Right side of the green Well, the wrong side to the pin. But it's in no danger, almost 50 feet out and you just never know! As Harry Diamond would say, 'he's Rory f**king McIlroy'. Hole that for 65. 5 minutes ago Adam McKendry Wood you look at that Lee Westwood breaks the 30-barrier for a nine-hole score as he lips out for birdie on 18 but still signs for an inward nine of 29 and a two-under 69 on Saturday to keep him relevant at -5. What a recovery from the Englishman. 8 minutes ago Adam McKendry Having Fitz Matt Fitzpatrick is having a really torrid time of it now as, after failing to birdie 12, he compounds it with a bogey at the par-three 13th having missed the green long and has dropped back into a share of third at -9. Only six holes ago he'd just had his last birdie and was one off the lead. 9 minutes ago Gareth Hanna He's ok off 18 Rory's tee shot heads towards the sand but is stopped by the semi rough. Well judged. Imagine what this 4,000 seater stand, and the thousands more down the fairway, will do if he gets this close. Boogaloo. Adam McKendry Hao about that Oh Haotong, that's a costly error. The China star three-putts the par-three 13th from 45 feet and he drops out of a share of second and into third at -9... ... but then immediately jumps back up into a share of second with Fitzpatrick as he bounces back with a birdie at the 14th thanks to a brilliant approach to nine feet! He is also, by the looks of this picture, a magician who can make putters float. If that was me then I would pack in the golf and make a killing in Vegas. 13 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Group-watch: Where will Rory be tomorrow? He's currently in a tie for fifth and could do with a birdie on the last if he is going to get into the penultimate group tomorrow. Unfortunately those have been at an absolute premium today. 17 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Problem, what problem? Rory lofts it skyward, pitches it beside the pin and it rolls on to just around 15 feet for birdie. The crowd are loving it. It's not quite Shane Saturday levels, but if this goes in it might get close. Edit: Unfortunately it was always right and never quite right. Tap-in par. Sure look, five minutes ago we'd have taken it. 18 minutes ago Adam McKendry Missed chance for the last group Two pars on the short par-five 12th for Scottie Scheffler and Matt Fitzpatrick as the former plays what, by his standards, is a poor approach with his third and simply two-putts, while the latter three-putts from the back of the green and looks sickened by it. He's stalled and can't get it back into gear. Scheffler's lead is still three at -13 over the Englishman. 21 minutes ago Gareth Hanna 'It's the right play but it must be in trouble' A member of the press comments as Rory hits driver, but hits it right. It's gone over 320 and not super off line but, again, all comes down to the lie. Edit: It's not great, now. Similar to where Scheffler was, close to 18th tee, last night. There's a blue barrier not too far away as well. To be continued. The difference to last night as well is that the pin is much tighter to the bunker Rory has to come over. Par would be just smashing, from here. 22 minutes ago Adam McKendry Back nine of the week? Lee Westwood has quietly put together an unbelievable back-nine performance, picking up six birdies and two pars thru 17 to pull himself back into the mix (just) at -5. The only two holes he parred - the two par-threes! 27 minutes ago RORY RORY RORY RORY His chant goes up from all angles between the 16th green and 17th tee. Then presumably around a screen far away, some shot or other is replayed and the chant goes up from there. Everyone back here joins in for another rendition. And then some guy chants 'United' afterwards. At least Rory wouldn't mind. 30 minutes ago Adam McKendry All-time club throw It comes from Robert MacIntyre, who pushes his approach shot into the par-four 14th to the left which is an absolute no-go on that hole and proceeds to spike his club into the ground with such ferocity that it recoils and spins into the air and out of shot of the camera. Might be the best one I've ever seen. You can't overly blame him, either, to be honest. He three-putted the par-five 12th for just a par and has now added a bogey on the 14th, so he drops back to -6 which is seven adrift. 32 minutes ago Adam McKendry Bunker bound for Scottie He's in one of the fairway traps on the par-five 12th which means he won't be going for the green in two and will it mean he misses the opportunity to extend his lead on the easiest hole on the course? Matt Fitzpatrick crushes one down the middle, so he will definitely be going for it in two. 36 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Phew. Survival. Rory's ball is grand down there and it's actually a simple enough chip uphill. Tap in par and it's another eruption from the crowd. That'll do just fine. One the third hardest hole today, he won't be losing a shot to the field with a par. 36 minutes ago Adam McKendry What a par save Any time it looks like the door might open, Scottie Scheffler slams it shut in the most emphatic of fashions. The par putt, with a slight left-to-right break, never looks like going anywhere but straight in the middle of the hole and he saves the four to remain -13... ... and open up a three-shot lead as Matt Fitzpatrick bogeys the same hole after finding a poor lie off the tie to fall back into a share of second alongside Haotong Li at -10. 40 minutes ago Adam McKendry Scheffler in trouble I'm not going to say big trouble just yet because I'm going off the TV footage but after hitting a pretty good drive on the par-four 11th, into the semi-rough down the right-hand side, he's hit an absolute shocker with his second and pulled it a mile left of the green and into the heavy stuff that Haotong Li got a fortunate bounce out of earlier. It may be okay and the video I'm watching just makes it look worse, but this could be a moment that opens the door. Edit: Until it's not. Incredible chip from the cabbage by the World No.1 and he'll have nine feet for par. It'll be a bogey at worst. 42 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Next up: Calamity It's 239 yards today with a strong breeze off the left towards the garbage. Rory on the tee. Not good. Rory's gone short right. The place you don't want to be here. It all depends on the lie now. We have seen somebody hole it from down there this week so… 44 minutes ago Adam McKendry Soft touch Tyrrell Hatton is in a bit of bother short of the green on the par-five 12th... until he's not. A masterful touch from the hollow short right of the putting surface allows him to bounce it up and check it right next to the hole for the easiest of tap-in birdies and he is into solo fourth at -9. 46 minutes ago Adam McKendry Chinese fortune Haotong Li makes the most of a massive bit of luck on 11 as his approach shot hits off the rough bank to the left of the green and, instead of getting caught in the fescue, bounces down onto the putting surface instead. Not content just to take his par and move on, the Chinese star holes the big left-to-right breaking putt from 21-feet and he's up to -10, just three back. Live Blog Software
Irish Independent
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The Open: Rory McIlroy's momentum stalls after flying start at Portrush
live | We'll bring you live updates here across the week Gareth Hanna and Adam McKendry It's a massive week in Royal Portrush as the 153rd Open Championship takes place. We will bring you all the action from the course all week as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry lead the Irish challenge. 2 minutes ago Adam McKendry Count your lucky stars Rory His ball has landed on the spectator walkway so not only is the lie fine but he has a line to the green and all. The pin is tucked in on the right so it will be tough to set up a birdie chance but par is back on the cards. Now why can't I get a big crowd to follow me during my rounds and trample down the areas I usually hit it into? 6 minutes ago Adam McKendry That's not right But it is right off the 11th tee for Rory McIlroy. It's a tee shot he's struggled with all week and it's another pushed into the fescue that might just be a hack out and try to get up and down for par. Either way, putting a four on the card would be a good outcome from here. 6 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Tough finish The crowd gathered on 18 haven't been given much to cheer today. Of 36 players now in the clubhouse, only two have made birdie. They were Corey Conners in the first group out and Thriston Lawrence soon after. Add to that Calamity showing its teeth - allowing just three birdies (for Francesco Molinari, Jon Rahm and Dean Burmester), and ther final three holes are sorting the men from the boys today. 9 minutes ago Adam McKendry The putter has gone ice cold Rory hasn't had a birdie since the fourth but he's had plenty of looks, he just can't find the putt to drop. The latest one, on 10, looks like it might have a little bit more turn on it at the last second but McIlroy's hung it out too far and it stays above ground. He's not hurting himself with these pars but he's not helping himself either. Still -6, which is unthinkable after that start. 13 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Knock-out blow from Hatton! He's only gone and holed it from 139-yards at the par five seventh for eagle! And all of a sudden the Englishman is at -8 and solo fourth, three under for the day. 15 minutes ago Adam McKendry Different crowd reactions The crowd behind Rory love his approach into 10, the crowd by the green not quite so much, and it's they who are probably more accurate as he's 20 feet away for the birdie. The approach game hasn't been as sharp as it was in the opening few holes. 16 minutes ago Gareth Hanna It's tough at the top Are there some nerves in the final three groups? I mean, you'd understand. The final six players out have made just three birdies between them - and Fitzpatrick's eagle. They're combined scores are level par for the day, allowing the chasing back - such as Rory McIlroy - to make some ground. It doesn't look like there will be birdies for Fitzpatrick or Scheffler at five, either. Both short-side themselves off the tee, meaning they have to aim their chips well left and both are over 20 feet out. 25 minutes ago Adam McKendry 33 That's how many strokes it's taken Rory McIlroy to play the front nine as he two-putts for his par and turns at -6, four back. Needs to get something going on the back nine. Jordan Smith took 37 for his outward nine, he's back at -2. 26 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Big bird for Bob? The Scotsman is on the par five seventh in two - and he's inside seven feet for eagle. roll that and he catapults his way to -7 alongside his national champion Chris Gotterup. Edit: It's in! Robert MacIntyre is just three back. The Open on Twitter / X MacIntyre's into the eagle on 7 takes him to seven-under. The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025 27 minutes ago Adam McKendry Another long putt Rory tried to use the slope behind the ninth green to bring the ball back down to the hole, chopping it out of the rough and onto the fringe, but it doesn't come back as he'd like and he's left with 35 feet down the hill for the birdie. The hot start has very much cooled down now. 29 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Double eagle for Xander No, dear Americans, I don't mean an albatross. Because that's called an albatross. I mean that Xander has two eagles today! He did it at the par five seventh and he's added another at the par five 12th to hit four-under for the day and -6 overall. The Open on Twitter / X It's called moving day for a Schauffele moves up to 5th with his second eagle of the day. The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025 31 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Shane Lowry (+3) on a Saturday 74: 'I should have enjoyed it more' The 2019 champ was 11 shots worse off today than R3 six years ago, when he hit his course record 63. However, he explained afterwards that he's fallen victim to a virus that's rampaged through his house. Add that to last night's two-shot penalty and it's been a rough 24-hours. He said:"I didn't enjoy today as much as I would have liked. Saturday at The Open in your home country, I should enjoy it a lot more than I did, just because of how I felt. Hopefully I get out tomorrow morning and try and enjoy it as best I can, try to shoot the best score I can, and then have a couple weeks off before the playoffs. For me, my big mindset for the next few months is about the Ryder Cup and trying to win that. That's where all my work is going to go towards over the next while." On the two-shot penalty: "I'm not too keen to talk on it too much. I think we said enough about it last night. Quite supportive, I would say, from the other players. They all feel bad for me that two shots is a lot to give up. Yeah, I don't really have much else to say actually." On the afternoon outlook:"There's a score out there. Tough pins, but there's a score. You can see there's a few good scores. You see Rory is off to a hot start. This golf course isn't playing easier than it is today. Firm fairways, the greens are receptive." This sign said 'Go Rory' the other day - there's room for a love for both. 33 minutes ago Adam McKendry "You're my hero!" Some of the cries from the fans out here are hilarious as Rory looks tentatively after his drive on the par-four ninth, but the claps further down the fairway suggest that he's okay - although once he gets there he discovers the lie is a little choppy. It's not going to be an easy birdie here, the pin is tucked into the back right of this green, but he's in a good position to attack if he wants to try. 38 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scheffler not making ground At risk of jinxing this (from a Rory perspective), Scheffler is a long way away for birdie on the fourth. Providing he doesn't railroad that into the cup, McIlroy will have made up three shots on the overnight leader across the opening four holes as Scheffler starts with level pars. Fitzpatrick is a little closer but again it's only an outside chance to make it to -11. Edit: Correct. Pars for both. 40 minutes ago Adam McKendry Very impressive I don't want to keep harping on about the crowds but the people following Rory are about ten deep around the eighth green. The pull he has us simply unparalleled, especially on home soil. His putts aren't bad either as he gives the birdie attempt on the eighth from 40-feet a chance, just missing low, and then cleans up for the par to stay at -6. He could really do with a birdie soon, though. The longer he keeps parring, the more difficult it will be to put a red number on the card again. 46 minutes ago Adam McKendry There she blows The wind, I mean. Rory teed off in benign conditions but up on the par-four eighth fairway, which he has found the middle of with a fine tee shot, it's starting to get quite strong, it must be said. That might be a factor in the late afternoon scores. It wasn't a factor on his approach, though. Not a great swing and he's left himself 40 feet for birdie. 50 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Knee-knocker for Scottie His approach to the par three third is off the back and he opts to putt back onto the green, but it's too heavy and rolls the best part of 10 feet past. After a three-putt at two, that'll cause more than a few nerves for par. It hasn't exactly been a rock solid start with the flat-stick, considering he raced his birdie attempt past on one, as well. In the side door. If that had slipped out, it would certainly have livened things up. Stays -10 alongside Fitzpatrick, who taps in for par. 52 minutes ago Adam McKendry "F**k" It's very loud and fortunately it's from the crowd and not from Rory McIlroy, which draws a few laughs. There are none from McIlroy, though. His birdie putt on the seventh slides inches wide on the low side and the putter slams against his leg in frustration. He knows that's a big chance gone and it does feel like parring both the fifth and seventh has killed his momentum. 53 minutes ago Gareth Hanna All rise Moves are being made. Haotog Li gets a two at the second to climb to within one of the lead. Up to -6 are playing partners Tony Finau and Chris Gotterup after they both birdied the driveable par four fifth. Further on in the course, Justin Rose birdied five of six holes from 2-7 but his progress was stunted by bogeys either side. He's at -5 on the ninth. 56 minutes ago Adam McKendry Heavy metal After a stunning drive, Rory McIlroy has made a bit of mess of the seventh as he left his second shot 24 yards short and has been very heavy on the chip shot, running it a good 20 feet past. Still a chance for a birdie but not the tap-in he would have been expecting. Today 10:59 AM Gareth Hanna Par five battle While Rory booms one down the middle on seven, Scheffler is on the green in two back at the second. He has over 50 feet to the pin, so he's only looking at the remotest chance of eagle, but it looks like the world number one is going to -11 and maybe even three clear. Ominous. Eagle for Fitzy! Errrr... scratch that! Just as Fitzpatrick short-sides himself into two and looks like it'll be an impressive up-and-down just for birdie, he's only gone and canned it for eagle! Bounce-back big bird and the Englishman goes to -10. Game on. And Scheffler three-putts And Scheffler three-rolls! What a swing. Now it's all tied at the top at 10 under. And it means, comparing their opening two holes, Rory has officially got one of the seven back on the overnight leader.
Belfast Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Rory McIlroy turns Portrush electric with stunning start at The Open as Scottie Scheffler is reeled in at the top
7 minutes ago 33 That's how many strokes it's taken Rory McIlroy to play the front nine as he two-putts for his par and turns at -6, four back. Needs to get something going on the back nine. Jordan Smith took 37 for his outward nine, he's back at -2. 9 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Big bird for Bob? The Scotsman is on the par five seventh in two - and he's inside seven feet for eagle. roll that and he catapults his way to -7 alongside his national champion Chris Gotterup. Edit: It's in! Robert MacIntyre is just three back. 9 minutes ago Another long putt Rory tried to use the slope behind the ninth green to bring the ball back down to the hole, chopping it out of the rough and onto the fringe, but it doesn't come back as he'd like and he's left with 35 feet down the hill for the birdie. The hot start has very much cooled down now. 11 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Double eagle for Xander No, dear Americans, I don't mean an albatross. Because that's called an albatross. I mean that Xander has two eagles today! He did it at the par five seventh and he's added another at the par five 12th to hit four-under for the day and -6 overall. The Open on Twitter / X It's called moving day for a Schauffele moves up to 5th with his second eagle of the day. The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 14 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Shane Lowry (+3) on a Saturday 74: 'I should have enjoyed it more' The 2019 champ was 11 shots worse off today than R3 six years ago, when he hit his course record 63. However, he explained afterwards that he's fallen victim to a virus that's rampaged through his house. Add that to last night's two-shot penalty and it's been a rough 24-hours. He said:"I didn't enjoy today as much as I would have liked. Saturday at The Open in your home country, I should enjoy it a lot more than I did, just because of how I felt. Hopefully I get out tomorrow morning and try and enjoy it as best I can, try to shoot the best score I can, and then have a couple weeks off before the playoffs. For me, my big mindset for the next few months is about the Ryder Cup and trying to win that. That's where all my work is going to go towards over the next while." On the two-shot penalty: "I'm not too keen to talk on it too much. I think we said enough about it last night. Quite supportive, I would say, from the other players. They all feel bad for me that two shots is a lot to give up. Yeah, I don't really have much else to say actually." On the afternoon outlook:"There's a score out there. Tough pins, but there's a score. You can see there's a few good scores. You see Rory is off to a hot start. This golf course isn't playing easier than it is today. Firm fairways, the greens are receptive." 16 minutes ago Adam McKendry "You're my hero!" Some of the cries from the fans out here are hilarious as Rory looks tentatively after his drive on the par-four ninth, but the claps further down the fairway suggest that he's okay - although once he gets there he discovers the lie is a little choppy. It's not going to be an easy birdie here, the pin is tucked into the back right of this green, but he's in a good position to attack if he wants to try. 20 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scheffler not making ground At risk of jinxing this (from a Rory perspective), Scheffler is a long way away for birdie on the fourth. Providing he doesn't railroad that into the cup, McIlroy will have made up three shots on the overnight leader across the opening four holes as Scheffler starts with level pars. Fitzpatrick is a little closer but again it's only an outside chance to make it to -11. Edit: Correct. Pars for both. Very impressive I don't want to keep harping on about the crowds but the people following Rory are about ten deep around the eighth green. The pull he has us simply unparalleled, especially on home soil. His putts aren't bad either as he gives the birdie attempt on the eighth from 40-feet a chance, just missing low, and then cleans up for the par to stay at -6. He could really do with a birdie soon, though. The longer he keeps parring, the more difficult it will be to put a red number on the card again. 28 minutes ago There she blows The wind, I mean. Rory teed off in benign conditions but up on the par-four eighth fairway, which he has found the middle of with a fine tee shot, it's starting to get quite strong, it must be said. That might be a factor in the late afternoon scores. It wasn't a factor on his approach, though. Not a great swing and he's left himself 40 feet for birdie. 32 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Knee-knocker for Scottie His approach to the par three third is off the back and he opts to putt back onto the green, but it's too heavy and rolls the best part of 10 feet past. After a three-putt at two, that'll cause more than a few nerves for par. It hasn't exactly been a rock solid start with the flat-stick, considering he raced his birdie attempt past on one, as well. In the side door. If that had slipped out, it would certainly have livened things up. Stays -10 alongside Fitzpatrick, who taps in for par. 35 minutes ago Adam McKendry "F**k" It's very loud and fortunately it's from the crowd and not from Rory McIlroy, which draws a few laughs. There are none from McIlroy, though. His birdie putt on the seventh slides inches wide on the low side and the putter slams against his leg in frustration. He knows that's a big chance gone and it does feel like parring both the fifth and seventh has killed his momentum. 35 minutes ago Gareth Hanna All rise Moves are being made. Haotog Li gets a two at the second to climb to within one of the lead. Up to -6 are playing partners Tony Finau and Chris Gotterup after they both birdied the driveable par four fifth. Further on in the course, Justin Rose birdied five of six holes from 2-7 but his progress was stunted by bogeys either side. He's at -5 on the ninth. 38 minutes ago Heavy metal After a stunning drive, Rory McIlroy has made a bit of mess of the seventh as he left his second shot 24 yards short and has been very heavy on the chip shot, running it a good 20 feet past. Still a chance for a birdie but not the tap-in he would have been expecting. 44 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Par five battle While Rory booms one down the middle on seven, Scheffler is on the green in two back at the second. He has over 50 feet to the pin, so he's only looking at the remotest chance of eagle, but it looks like the world number one is going to -11 and maybe even three clear. Ominous. Eagle for Fitzy! Errrr... scratch that! Just as Fitzpatrick short-sides himself into two and looks like it'll be an impressive up-and-down just for birdie, he's only gone and canned it for eagle! Bounce-back big bird and the Englishman goes to -10. Game on. And Scheffler three-putts And Scheffler three-rolls! What a swing. Now it's all tied at the top at 10 under. And it means, comparing their opening two holes, Rory has officially got one of the seven back on the overnight leader. 47 minutes ago Recoil on Rory That actually look like it could have hurt as Rory McIlroy absolutely unloads into his drive on the par-five seventh and the club snaps back on his shoulder - he has corked one 370-yards down there, to the extent that from where I'm standing I can't actually see it. All we know is it is on the fairway and he will absolutely be going for this in two. I don't want to speak too soon but an eagle would lift the metaphorical roof off this place and then some. 53 minutes ago No dramas Brilliant lag putt from Rory and that's a safe par on the sixth. Now he will set his sights on picking up at least one shot on the downwind, very gettable par-five seventh. Jordan Smith, meanwhile, has seemingly gotten stuck in the Shane Lowry mould of just not being able to get anything going. He bogeyed the second and now just dropped another at the sixth, so he's back to -1. 57 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scare for Scottie The leader's birdie attempt races five foot past on the first. There's golf left in that, yet. Makes it. As if... as if he wouldn't. Stays -10. And that means he stretches his lead to two as his playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick starts with a three-putt to drop alongside Haotong Li to -8 as the only players within four. 58 minutes ago "Ah, sit" Rory immediately doesn't like his tee shot on the par-three sixth either as he tries to power it through the wind towards this back right pin position, but it holds left and releases to the back centre instead, leaving him 47-feet for birdie. The crowd again try to will him on after that swing but it's another one he's not happy with. Par here wouldn't be a terrible outcome, though. Today 02:41 PM Adam McKendry To his knees The putt doesn't drop for McIlroy and he is gutted it doesn't. It's a dramatic right to lefter down the slope for the birdie on five and he thinks he has it as it gets closer to the hole... but it dives left one more time right at the end and misses low. Stays -6. Today 02:41 PM Gareth Hanna New leaders in the clubhouse! Wyndham Clark pars the last to get in at -5, and he's soon joined by Dustin Johnson! Remember him? The man who missed the cut in all of the year's first three majors has matched Clark's impressive five-under 66. Live Blog Software
Belfast Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Rory McIlroy begins third round ‘ready' to chase down leaders as Royal Portrush sees first hole-in-one of the week
one minute ago Leeeeeean McIlroy's leaning as soon as he's hit his approach up the hill into the first and for good reason. With the pin tucked on the left hand side of the green and just over the false front, he errs on the side of caution and aims a bit right but pushes it even beyond that. Good for distance but he'll have 36-feet for birdie. Jordan Smith will have even longer than that after a similarly cautious effort from the fairway. Not a great start for these two and they have testing putts that slope dramatically from right to left. 5 minutes ago Gareth Hanna DeChambeau's 68 fails to live up to early hype-train There was a time when it looked like Bryson might go significantly lower than the three-under 68 he has signed for. 6 minutes ago Adam McKendry Standing ovation Rory takes iron off the opening tee and it's down the left half of the fairway. No first tee dramas today and the World No.2 is roared off the tee to a standing ovation from the crowd, who immediately start to leave the grandstand en masse. Playing partner Jordan Smith goes with a hybrid and he's hit a cracker too. Wonder how his heart rate is going this afternoon. 15 minutes ago Wallace and Gr-Im-it Alright, not my best pun of the day, but we have two more breaking the -4 barrier as Matt Wallace and Sungjae Im - who are playing one group apart - both reach that mark having played their first seven holes in four-under. Im, playing in the first group, has done it the adventurous way, birdieing four of his first five holes with a bogey at the third thrown in for good measure, and then birdieing the par-five seventh, while Wallace in the group behind has bunched his birdies, opening with back-to-back at the first and second and then adding two more at six and seven. Two different ways to do it but the same result, they're on the move. 17 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Next on the tee: Rory McIlroy Well, it's now or never. Needs a low one as he's now rated a 30/1 shot to clutch the Claret Jug tomorrow night. Scottie Scheffler, surprise, surprise, is the odds-on favourite thanks to his lead at the top. Matt Fitzpatrick is a rather generous 19/4 despite started the day just a shot behind. Gareth Hanna Wynds of change on the leaderboard Well, that's a bit overstated, but Wyndham Clark has at least climbed on to the foot of the leaderboard at -1 with his fourth birdie of a blemish-free card at hole 12. And he's been joined there by hole-in-oner John Parry, who has added a birdie at 15 to go to five under par for the with three to play. 38 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Phil the thrill! It's a front nine for the galleries from Phil Mickelson anyway... although not quite how he'd want it. Just the one par in an eventful nine holes that brought three birdies and five bogeys for a two-over 38 to see him make the turn at +2 for the week. It ended in particularly frustrating fashion, with a vicious lip-out at the ninth. 45 minutes ago Ollie's started 'dell Finland's Ollie Lindell, who is 291st in the world rankings and last year finished third on the Challenge Tour's order of merit, is into the top-10 at the Open Championship as he birdies his opening two holes to get to -4 early doors. Is he the unexpected man to go low today and get himself into contention? 48 minutes ago Shane finally has a birdie He's had to wait 10 holes to get it but Shane Lowry has finally put a red number on the scorecard as he holes a putt from just off the green for the three at the par-four and to finally get something behind him. Back up to level-par for the tournament, as is Jon Rahm who also birdied the 10th, and headed to 11 trying to get something going on the back nine. 56 minutes ago HOLE-IN-ONE! We've had a couple of close calls today already but we finally have an actual hole-in-one as John Parry holes his tee shot on the 192-yard par-three 13th! That's an achievement in itself but it's also taken the Englishman up to -3 for the week and he's now four-under-par for the day! The Open on Twitter / X Magic on a hole-in-one for John Parry. The Open (@TheOpen) July 19, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 57 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Rory on the range Rory McIlroy (-3) is at the driving range with under an hour until his 2.30pm tee-time this afternoon. He starts the day seven behind world number one Scottie Scheffler, so it seems it's going to take something seriously special to get him right in the mix. But he is Rory McIlroy. Today 12:37 PM Gareth Hanna Second eagle of the day! It comes for Tommy Fleetwood on two as, playing alongside Justin Thomas for the third day in a row, he more than makes up for bogey at one by rolling in a lengthy eagle attempt and punching the air. Goes to -2. Today 12:29 PM Clubhouse leader Out in the first group of the day but holding the clubhouse lead after a birdie on the par-four 18th, Corey Conners is currently the man to beat as a five-under 66 sees him shoot up into a share of 10th at -4! That will obviously be beaten as the day goes on but, for now, that's the score to be caught. Really tidy round for the Canadian, only one blemish on the scorecard at the par-four ninth, but six birdies mean he should have an afternoon tee time for the final round! Today 12:27 PM An unexpectedly tough hole Eleven groups have now made their way through the ninth hole and there has been only one birdie, from Takumi Kanaya, and four bogeys. It is a tough hole in general but today it looks like it's going to cause some serious problems. Not to Wyndham Clark, though! The former US Open champion rolls in the second birdie of the day at the hole for his third gained shot of a bogey-free front-nine to turn in 33 and become the latest to hit -3! Today 12:27 PM Gareth Hanna Bryson's frustrations show That run of birdies on the front nine feels a long time ago now. A poor tee shot on the downhill par three 13th drops into the front bunker and, despite nearly holing it, he can't save par as the bunker shot runs out and he doesn't make it coming back. Club smashed into the sand sums up the fall-back to -1. Today 12:22 PM Back nine bites back Henrik Stenson is the latest to drop back to -3 as he flies the par-four 14th green long and left and cannot recover to save par, missing the par putt from 30-feet and falling back courtesy of his first bogey of the day. Scoring has really dried up over the last hour or so. What had looked like a day where someone could potentially go very low has suddenly become a slog for plenty. Stenson still the lowest tournament score on the course, alongside Corey Conners, at -3. Today 12:14 PM Gareth Hanna 'GO ON BRYSOOON….. MY MVP!' Two guys have been shouting that before every shot these last few holes. Got to admire their consistency if nothing else. Their man gets pin high in two on the par five but his eagle putt pulls up a couple of feet short. Ooooo his birdie putt isn't very MVP either as it misses left and he stays -2. A nasty three-roll. Today 12:11 PM A birdie! Yes, it's a birdie for Maverick McNealy on, of all holes, the par-four 11th as he hits in a brilliant approach to six feet and holes the putt! Fairways in regulation: 7/9 Greens in regulation: 11/11 Putts: 21 Birdies: 11 Pars: 10 Score: -1 (E for the tournament) Quoted message Today 11:38 AM Adam McKendry Maverick watch Why not? This has the potential to be a special (yet boring) scorecard from the American. Fairways in regulation: 6/7 (a miss to the left at the ninth!) Greens in regulation: 9/9 Putts: 18 Pars: 9 Score: E (+1 for the tournament) Today 12:08 PM Adam McKendry Shane's stuttering stays Even when presented with a par-five that most of the field have birdied so far, it's just a par for Lowry who remains +1 for his round and the tournament having failed to pick up a shot all day. Rahm does likewise. This group is flat, no matter how much the crowd try and pick them up. Load more Live Blog Software
Belfast Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Shane Lowry set to discuss potential penalty, favourite hits top spot and Rory McIlroy insists he 'can challenge'
one minute ago Gareth Hanna Lowry gets two shot penalty Shane Lowry has been given a two shot penalty for the practice swing situation on 12. He has said: 'I didn't know anything happened until the 15th. He told me it was a two shot penalty so I feel like I'm on the cut line then. I'm disappointed they don't have more camera angles on it. They say if you don't see it move, it didn't move. I didn't see it but I had to take a penalty because I can't have my name tossed around like that. It's obviously very disappointing. It's hard to take but I have to dust myself off and get out there tomorrow.' 5 minutes ago It's a Sad(om) day What started as a very promising day for Thailand's Sadom Kaewkanjana, where he began the round one shot off the lead and then birdied the par-three third to go to four-under-par, has turned into a nightmare for the ordained Buddhist monk. Since then he has carded six bogeys and one double-bogey, on the par-four 11th, and is seven-over-par for the day and +4 for the tournament. He still has three holes to play which, if he plays them in three-under-par, would see him in for the weekend but he will more than likely miss the cut. 24 minutes ago Second round leaderboard -10: Scottie Scheffler -9: Matt Fitzpatrick -8: Brian Harman, Haotong Li -5: Rasmus Højgaard, Tyrrell Hatton, Robert MacIntyre, Harris English, Chris Gotterup -4: Tony Finau, Nicolai Højgaard -3: Keegan Bradley, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Smith, Lee Westwood, Sam Burns 29 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scheffler shoots 64 to lead by one The putt stays up! It sits infuriatingly on the front edge. Another roll and he had it for 63. Shane's record stays intact but we have a new leader and a firm favourite to lift the Claret Jug come Sunday evening. 30 minutes ago Shane almost swung it in There was a huge right to left break on that putt but it just doesn't swing enough and stays up on the high side. The man who was seemingly caught on camera saying 'f**k this place' earlier gets a hero's applause. We know he didn't mean it. If it's good enough for Augusta… 33 minutes ago Gareth Hanna The best there is for a reason Scheffler's approach is on the money. 15 feet to match the new course record 63 shot by his playing partner six years ago. Shane Lowry finds the heart of the green but at over 50 feet, it's only an outside birdie chance. 33 minutes ago Adam McKendry Scheff de partie Scottie Scheffler leads the field in both strokes gained approach and strokes gained putting. That'll help you lead a Major for sure. 40 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Safe as houses Scottie and Shane launch their final tee shot of the day down the fairway and into perfect position to set up birdie chances. In Scottie's case, that could see him open up a two shot lead. It would also be an eight under par 63 to match Shane's Saturday score from 2019. 42 minutes ago Adam McKendry 'I want to beat him': Nicolai H ø jgaard (-4) is ready to challenge brother Rasmus (-5) at the weekend "It's cool to see Ras playing well this week. I saw him quite early on the leaderboard and I kind of wanted to follow it up. A little frustrated I didn't manage to get to five(-under) where he is. I felt like the round had potential. But, yeah, happy for him. I cheer him on and happy to see him play well, but I also want to beat him. But it's a good relationship, and hopefully we'll have a good weekend and maybe battle it out on Sunday." 48 minutes ago Tidy back nine Sam Burns has gone very under the radar today but he's quietly put together a very impressive back nine that included birdies at 11, 12 and 13 before another at 17 for a two-under 69 that has him in the clubhouse at -3. It might not be enough to make a run at the weekend but he's there if something happens at the top. 49 minutes ago Gareth Hanna World number one. Is number one. Scottie Scheffler goes to ten under par. Portrush, we just got our first firm favourite to win this tournament. Shane Lowry is still -2 as his putt slips past. 'Keep it going Shane boy - you're a hero,' shouts a lad in a Tyrone t-shirt. 52 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Shane who? All the fans crowding Scottie Scheffler's ball forget that it's Lowry to play first and miss his pitch to around 10 feet. Birdie chance coming up to get to -3 (pending the obvious). Scheffler lofts his pitch straight into the air and lands it soft to set up a birdie attempt of his own from a similar distance. That to go to 10 and put the world number one in the driving seat of The Open. The fans go daft - several of whom are definitely Guinness-clutching locals shouting in mock American accents. The craic. 53 minutes ago Adam McKendry No Silver Medal One thing that we do already know this week is that there will be no Silver Medal handed out for the lowest amateur at this year's tournament. In order for someone to win the honour, they have to play all 72 holes and none of them will this year. Amateur champion Ethan Fang and Scotland's Cameron Adam came closest at three-over but that won't be good enough unfortunately. 57 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scheffler's right off 17 The world number one's ball careers over the ropes and into the clearing between the 17th and the 18th tee where the fans are. That means the ground is well tramped down and it a lying grand. The bigger problem for him is he's coming in over the bunker. But the soft greens mean that's not even too big a problem. All in all, problem, what problem? Shane also goes a little right but is out of the thick stuff and should be able to chase a pitch down the hill with little issue. He'll just have to run it up rather than spinning it on the softened green. 60 minutes ago Gareth Hanna A Rahm bomb on 17 It seems the majority of the fans left here are following the new leader and 2019 champion. They missed Jon Rahm's smashed tee shot on 17. It was just off the front edge and he chips it in tight for a birdie that will send him back to -1. Today 06:55 PM Adam McKendry New leader And it's the World No.1 as Scottie Scheffler rolls in the 17-footer for birdie on Calamity and he has tied Matt Fitzpatrick at the top at nine-under-par! Today 06:52 PM Ah Shane! So close to a birdie at Calamity as he flirts with the chasm but puts it on the right edge of the green instead, and then leaves his 33-footer for a two in the jaws of the hole! It literally needed a couple more revolutions and that would have been it! Stays at -2 with two holes to play. Today 06:49 PM Adam McKendry Huge putt from Fitzpatrick! Massive putt from the leader, who looked like he was going to drop a shot on the 18th when he missed the green left and then left his chip shot 23 feet short... but with nerves of steel he reels in the par with a fantastic putt that goes right to left across the green and into the hole, with the crowd roaring in appreciation of a brilliant recovery! When it's all said and done it's a five-under 66 today for the former US Open champion and he is guaranteed to be in the final group tomorrow afternoon as he holds the one-shot clubhouse lead at -9! 'We're looking to get two spots better than last time': Tony Finau is aiming high after a 68 leaves him at -4 On his repeated success at Portrush:"I'm playing the golf course a lot differently than I did in '19. The conditions are a little bit different, but I'm hitting a lot of different clubs off the tee. I'm a little more aggressive. This year I'm hitting more drivers than I did in '19. But that's just the way I'm playing and the way I see it right now. But it is nice to come back to a golf course you've had some success and had a nice finish. We're looking to get two spots better than last time." Having an Irish caddy on the bag:"Colin Byrne is my caddie this week. He's obviously a very well-known caddie. He caddied for Retief Goosen for many years and had a lot of success with him. But being on this side of the pond, he's from Ireland so it's pretty cool to have him on the bag, knows this golf course pretty well, and he's definitely been helpful the first two days. He came pretty highly recommended when I was looking for a guy here this week. I can see why. He's got a lot of experience, veteran caddie. He's been on the Tour for many years and also caddied on LIV. So he's been around the block and caddied for a lot of great players. I thought he'd be a good fit for me this week." Today 06:42 PM Gareth Hanna Ryan Fox on 18! It's been a huge battle to make the cut by Ryan Fox - featuring an eagle on 12. His approach on 12 threaten to hop in before resting a couple of feet behind the hole. That will move him to +2 and get him into what is currently a tie for 71st - and within one player of making the weekend. What a way to do it! Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick's approaches kicks down into the dip left of the green and seems to rest against a tuft of grass - which will make his up-and-down for par to stay at -9 a little more complicated.
