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Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
'Proud Daddy' John Daly Congratulates Son Amid Spectacular Win
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the golf world revolved around the Open Championship, former Champion Golfer of the Year John Daly had his attention focused on another tournament. And no wonder, as his son, John Daly II, not only competed in the prestigious Southern Amateur Championship, but won it by five strokes. The proud father was quick to express his happiness with this result, posting congratulations to his son on his social media profiles. Daly II played as one of the local heroes in the Southern Amateur Championship, played at Blessings Golf Club in Johnson, Arkansas. John Daly's son currently plays for the Arkansas Razorbacks in NCAA golf, which has deepened his already strong ties to that state. Daly II, who started the final round in second place, two strokes behind Garrett Endicott, showed his best golf in the end. Not only did he recover the deficit, but he also pulled a five-stroke lead over Endicott, who had sunk to a 75 on Saturday. The Hogs star carded six birdies and two bogeys (68) during the final round to run away with the title. He had previously posted rounds of 70, 71, and 69. John Daly II's Steady Rise to Golf Stardom Daly's son's victory at Blessings has confirmed his current great moment in his golf career. Let's recall that he was the star of the Arkansas Razorbacks last season, just like his father, who played for the same university from 1984 to 1987. John Daly and his son John Daly II look over a putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 21, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. John Daly and his son John Daly II look over a putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 21, 2024 in Orlando, younger Daly won a tournament last season, the Columbia Spring Invitational, and led the team with a scoring average of 72.21. He also helped the Razorbacks win the Palmas de Mar Collegiate Championship for the second consecutive year. Daly II made his NCAA golf debut last season season (he redshirted his first collegiate season), with a scoring average of 71.78. Among his key results of the year was qualifying for the US Amateur Championship, where he missed the cut in the stroke play phase. Daly II previously enjoyed a distinguished junior golf career, with one win and six top-10 finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments between September 2020 and July 2021, and 10 wins on the International Junior Golf Tour between 2016 and 2020. He has also had the opportunity to shine alongside his father in the PGA Tour Champions' PNC Championship, with a victory in 2021 and two second-place finishes in 2018 and 2022. More Golf: The Open Makes Brutal Change to End Old Tactics Used by Players
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Rory McIlroy ‘feeling love of a nation' at Royal Portrush as he reveals biggest surprise from opening round at The Open
RORY McILROY revealed he was "feeling the support of a country" after finishing his opening round at The Open. The Royal Portrush on Thursday and shot a -1 round of 70. He was cheered on by a home country crowd in Antrim, and expressed his gratitude for that support. "I feel the support of an entire country out there which is a wonderful position to be in. "At the same time, you don't want to let them down so there is that little bit of added pressure. Read More on Rory McIlroy "I felt I dealt with it very well today, certainly better than I did six years ago. "Just happy to get off to a good start and get myself into the tournament." It makes for a far better start than he endured in 2019, when McIlroy missed the cut as compatriot Both men are in contention to make the weekend six years on, with both among 12 players on -1. Most read in Golf Three shots forward, McIlroy admitted to being surprised at the low scoring in the early offing, but is glad to be so close to the leaders. Rory McIlroy explains haircut at Scottish Open He added: "I know there are a few guys on four under but I am surprised four under is leading. "I thought someone might have went out there and shot six or seven out there today. "Only three back with 54 holes to go, I am pretty happy with where I am." On Wednesday, McIlroy gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers. He was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'. And he admitted the chance to win Rory said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace. 'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.' 1 Rory McIlroy at The Open Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The Open: Mixed start for Rory McIlroy as Shane Lowry signs off with a 70 at Royal Portrush
live | We'll bring you updates across the week Today at 02:27 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 Gareth Hanna Oh it's thrills you want? How about this tee shot at the fourth snapped straight left as well? That's both drivers from Rory significantly left of the mark so far. Not a good spot, over there. 4 minutes ago Adam McKendry You Bez believe it Strong start to the round for South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout as he rattles off three straight birdies at 5, 6 and 7 to move to three-under-par and one shot off the lead! Could he do something special? I was chatting to his father yesterday and he was bullish on his son's chances. I'm starting to believe him. 6 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Boring pars at the third Pitch. Putt. Putt. Rory, JT, Tommy all stay level. A bit monotony never hurt anyone after those first two. 9 minutes ago Adam McKendry Shane and Scottie The marquee morning group are finished and it's a good day for Scottie Scheffler, who almost ties the lead with a long-range putt on the 18th but sees it slide just right of the hole and instead has to settle for a par and a three-under 68, which leaves him one shot off the lead. And it is also a good day for Shane Lowry, a one-under 70 a solid day's work that has him still very much in contention after three birdies and two bogeys! The '2019 defence' off to a good start. Not so good for Collin Morikawa, though. Five bogeys, four of which came in his final 10 holes, and just one birdie means it's a +4 start for the 2021 champion. 13 minutes ago Adam McKendry Holey moley As Rory McIlroy and co. head for the par-three third, let's check in on which holes are giving the players the most grief and which are providing birdie opportunities. The toughest holes 1. 11th (+0.47) 2. 4th (+0.36) 3. 9th (+0.35) 4. 18th (+0.30) 5. 1st (+0.28) The easiest holes 1. 5th (-0.26) 2. 12th (-0.25) 3. 7th (-0.18) 4. 2nd (-0.15) 5. 6th (+0.04) 16 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Up in the group ahead The Open on Twitter / X A fast start for Viktor Hovland. He eagles the second. The Open (@TheOpen) July 17, 2025 21 minutes ago Gareth Hanna The relief on his face Rory in for birdie and the crowd are up. He puffs out his cheeks and that was pure, 100% relief, not joy. I've no doubt visions of 2019 were returning in his head after that putt on 1. JT also gets his bounce back bird and Fleetwood can't get up and down from off the front so makes par. All three level after two. 21 minutes ago Adam McKendry One marquee group done The current Champion Golfer of the Year, Xander Schauffele, begins his defence of the Claret Jug with a level-par 71, which is no bad thing when you consider how up-and-down it was. Jon Rahm is off to a solid start as he cards a one-under 70 that, bar back-to-back bogeys at 10 and 11, looked very solid and very much enhances his credentials as a contender. It was a tougher day for US Open champion JJ Spaun, though. He drops three shots in his last four holes and finishes the round with a two-over 73, so he will be fighting to make the cut. 25 minutes ago Gareth Hanna The pitch is good And a birdie chance. Pitch out was the right play. Honestly, backing off that long iron could be the pivotal point of his whole week, already. 28 minutes ago Gareth Hanna The inner monologue He was ready to pull the trigger with a long iron then at the last minute steps off it and has the yardage book out. Time to just get back into play. Take a beat, as they'd say on Blue Lights. Smart play. Wedge back into the fairway. Start the day again from there, mentally. 29 minutes ago Adam McKendry A roar from 17 And it's not for Scottie Scheffler, it's for Shane Lowry who loops in a rangy putt from 22 feet for the birdie that gets him back into the red at -1! Could he potentially end the day even better with a birdie on 18? They've been hard to come by. 33 minutes ago Stop it Scottie! Forget trying to catch the leaders, Scheffler almost jumps into a share of the lead as he nearly jars his approach into the par-four 17th, pitching it about 20 feet short and letting it release up to the hole and it shaves the left edge on its way past before stopping a foot beyond the pin! That's going to be the easiest of tap-in birdies and the World No.1 is ominously on -3 with one hole to play. 33 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Time for calm He's bashed it straight left off the second, into the gallery. Now it's a par five so he should be able to make this OK. But he needs to settle after that missed three-footer. You worry about the impact of these things when it's Rory. Fleetwood and JT are good. 35 minutes ago Adam McKendry Danish delight We already have Jacob Skov Olesen in a share of the lead, Nicolai Hojgaard in the clubhouse two back at -2 and now there's another Dane on the charge as John Axelsen birdies 12 and 13 to move to -2, two off the top. The 27-year-old plays primarily on the HotelPlanner Tour (formerly known as the Challenge Tour) and only qualified through Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports - he's certainly making the most of that invitation. 41 minutes ago Gareth Hanna 'Oh Rory' Rory loops his long putt round the slope and in to three feet but then…. MISSED IT. Leaves himself further away for bogey but at least gets that. Shockwave for a nervous crowd. Fleetwood two putts for par off back edge but, JT can't tease his own putt from back there down the slope as leaves it 20 foot short, missing the hill altogether. Bogey for Thomas. (To anyone who saw my brief trigger happy post that he had holed it, I am sorry. Fully scudded him. Fully.) 42 minutes ago Adam McKendry Scheffler on the move He's hit an absolute stunner into Calamity, flirting with the chasm but bouncing it up onto the green and up to three feet - and he drains the putt! That's the World No.1 up to -2 and just two back, with the birdie-able par-four 17th coming up! Unfortunately Sergio Garcia is going the other way as he bogeys the par-four eighth and is back to -2 as well, having been at -3. 51 minutes ago Gareth Hanna And a roar! Very impressive from McIlroy. We've barely seen anyone make the green from that left rough but he manages to squeeze it on the front edge. A long two-putt and we're away. Gareth Hanna on Twitter / X And everyone in Portrush breathes a collective sigh of relief for Rory McIlroy Gareth Hanna (@GarethHanna11) July 17, 2025 55 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Audible relief There was a physical and collective sigh as Rory's tee shot lands IN BOUNDS. It's in the rough on the left and we know how thick that is. So not ideal. But it's not a reload. So sure look. We move. Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood safely on the short stuff. Everyone in Portrush is glad that's over. 59 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Here's Rory The first cheer for the man himself as the supporters round a packed first tee catch a glimpse of him on his way. This shot is six years in the making. Can he exorcise the ghosts of 2019? Rory McIlroy reacts to 2019 nightmare at Royal Portrush during Open press conference Rory McIlroy admits that after the disappointment of missing the cut at The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019 he is going to take a brand new approach to this year's tournament.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Rory McIlroy accepts AGW Golfer of the Year award, says he's embracing adulation back home
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy attended the Association of Golf Writers dinner on Tuesday evening and was decked out in green — Masters green. McIlroy, who won the Masters in April, wore his Green Jacket to the festivities and received a standing ovation upon his arrival. He attended the dinner to pick up his award as Golfer of the Year for 2024. McIlroy grew up 60 miles north of Portrush in Holywood. The World No. 2 completed the career Grand Slam in April, beating Justin Rose in a sudden-death playoff for his fifth major and first since the 2014 PGA Championship. In doing so, McIlroy became the sixth golfer to win the career Grand Slam. McIlroy missed the cut at the Open at Portrush in 2019 and said he intended to take a different approach to being the home favorite this time. 'I think it's better for everyone if I embrace it. I think it's better for me because I can – it's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times – but it's also nice for the person that is seeing you for the first time in a few years,' he said. 'It just makes for a better interaction and not trying to hide away from it. "I think it's more of an embrace everything that's going to come my way this week and not try to shy away from it or hide away from it, and I think that'll make for a better experience for everyone involved.' Showing up to the AGW dinner in his Masters jacket definitely qualifies as embracing the week.
Newsweek
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Rory McIlroy Skips PGA Championship Media amid Driver Controversy
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Rory McIlroy signed for a 1-over 72 Sunday at the PGA Championship to finish the tournament at 3-over. He is currently tied 49th on the leaderboard, and for the fourth day in a row, the Northern Irishman did not speak with the media. Many speculated that McIlroy refused to speak with the media because of what happened with his driver ahead of the tournament. When news broke that his driver was deemed non-conforming by the USGA (United State Golf Association), he was forced to make a change. This is not uncommon, however, players' names are normally not known as to who failed the test. Somehow, the information of McIlroy leaked to the public, causing a lot of controversy at Quail Hollow. Ahead of the tournament, the USGA found his driver illegal and forced him to switch out the head. However, it seems that McIlroy was not the only one who had to change equipment. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, left, shakes hands with Xander Schauffele of the United States on the 18th hole green after finishing the second round of the PGA Championship... CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, left, shakes hands with Xander Schauffele of the United States on the 18th hole green after finishing the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 16, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More Photo byAdam Schupak of Golfweek got the scoop from Xander Schauffele Sunday afternoon. The reigning PGA Championship winner played with McIlroy for three days at Quail Hollow and explained that he was not the only player who had to switch out a driver. "I think Scott is winning the tournament, and I think he switched to his backup, too," Schauffele said. "See, you don't even know because he's so good. We can deal with it because the (equipment) reps are so good now." Apparently, Scottie Scheffler also had to switch out his driver head. Both he and McIlroy are TaylorMade athletes. The brand has not made a statement about the situation. Schauffele also suggested testing all clubs to keep it fair. "I think they should test everyone's driver," the two-time major winner said. "It's not right to just test 50 guys. It just doesn't make sense if you're in it for the spirit (of the game). The whole point is to protect the integrity of the field. If you don't test everyone across the board, I don't think you're protecting the whole field." His quote makes sense because why would the USGA not test everyone, especially ahead of a major championship? Schauffele has experience with this testing because in 2019, his driver was deemed non-conforming at the Open Championship. The 2024 Champion Golfer of the Year also struggled to find comfortability that week. McIlory hit just 26 of 56 fairways this week at Quail Hollow, which is not normal for him. The USGA and PGA allegedly did not disclose the names of players who failed the test, as is their policy. However, on Saturday morning, the PGA of America made a statement about the controversy. Regardless, at least Schauffele let the world know it was apparently not just McIlroy. More Golf: Brooks Koepka Challenges PGA Championship Heckler: 'Come Down Here'
