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Belfast Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Tom McKibbin looks back on ‘special' round with Rory McIlroy and explains his main aim for The Open at Royal Portrush
Back then the now 22-year-old was still one of the game's most exciting prospects, competing at the U.S. Junior Amateur while keeping an eye on all things Open while preparing for his own tournament. This time, he's one of the star attractions on home soil. Qualifying for the first Championship at Royal Portrush in 68 years would have always been a pipe dream for McKibbin anyway, given the opportunities for amateurs to qualify are small, but making it into the field for 2025 was always top of his wish list when its return was confirmed. "Once they announced it was going to come back, it was a big, big goal of mine to get back here and get playing in it,' said McKibbin on Tuesday at the Dunluce Links. He did so by finishing in the top-25 of last season's Race to Dubai, his subsequent switch to LIV Golf not negating that achievement, meaning his place in this year's field has long been assured and he has been able to enjoy his time preparing to play in front of a raucous home crowd. The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019? He got a taster of it on Tuesday morning, linking up with good friend Rory McIlroy for one of his surprise early morning 7am practice round tee times where they were joined by 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke, too, with the crowds that slowly gathered almost three deep by the time they reached the 18th. Showing added length off the tee and some quality touches aside from that as well – including a virtual tap-in birdie after an outstanding tee shot on the par-three 13th – McKibbin revelled in the moment of playing alongside two legends he has long admired for the second straight Open. 'It was pretty special,' beamed the 22-year-old, who is a member at Royal Portrush but admits the only times he's played it off the championship tees were in a few recent practice rounds with Clarke. "I came up (on Monday) and did a little bit of practice and just sort of walking around and seeing all the stands up and all the spectators here, it was kind of cool. I didn't really want to leave yesterday (when the weather delay happened), I wanted to stay in and maybe play a few holes. "But then coming out today nice and early and playing with the guys was nice. And the amount of people that sort of came out early was cool to see. 'We did it last year in Troon and to be able to do it again this year here at Portrush was pretty special, to get out there, get 18 holes in and sort of pick their brains a little bit. I came up couple weeks ago and played with Darren a few times, so getting to play with him a little bit more has been nice. "I've been lucky to play a few Irish Opens now, and that's obviously big in itself. And then this is this sort of up another level or so, so it's pretty cool to be involved in it and have those sort of things happen to you.' McKibbin has been trending upward in recent weeks, bouncing back from a run of five events with no top-10 finishes with back-to-back top-fives in the LIV events in Dallas and, most recently, Andalucia at the weekend, and now ranks 14th in the League's individual rankings. Along with that, the Newtownabbey man is no longer overawed by the Major scene having played in three already – the U.S. Open and Open last year, plus this year's PGA Championship – making the cut at all three, and the intention is to start turning made cuts into becoming something of a factor at the weekend. 'I've played nicely. If I can just keep getting better at every one of them, I definitely want to try and finish the highest that I have out of the four,' adds McKibbin, who knows that a top-10 finish at Portrush would guarantee him a spot at Royal Birkdale in a year's time. "My game feels good so hopefully I can continue the nice sort of form that I've had over the last couple of events, and sort of wherever that is at the end of the week, I know that I'll give it my best, and I'm prepared nicely. "(My game) was very nice at the start of the year and then sort of towards the middle things just weren't going my way. I felt like I was playing quite nicely but I couldn't really get the score together and then the last couple of weeks have been nice. "It's nice to see my game, how it felt like it was playing, translate into some nice scores and post a couple of nice finishes.' Indeed, the biggest challenge, as Rory McIlroy found out to his detriment six years ago, is managing the nerves on the opening tee. McKibbin acknowledges he's not quite sure what to expect with his first shot but he's not shying away from the pressure. "I guess I don't know what it'll feel like till I till I get there on Thursday but I'm sure I'll feel it too,' he admits. As for his chances of winning the event? 'I don't know,' he grins modestly.
Belfast Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It was pretty special': Tom McKibbin thrilled to be in the thick of the Open action after all-NI practice round
Back then the now 22-year-old was still one of the game's most exciting prospects, competing at the U.S. Junior Amateur while keeping an eye on all things Open while preparing for his own tournament. This time, he's one of the star attractions on home soil. Qualifying for the first Championship at Royal Portrush in 68 years would have always been a pipe dream for McKibbin anyway, given the opportunities for amateurs to qualify are small, but making it into the field for 2025 was always top of his wish list when its return was confirmed. "Once they announced it was going to come back, it was a big, big goal of mine to get back here and get playing in it,' said McKibbin on Tuesday at the Dunluce Links. He did so by finishing in the top-25 of last season's Race to Dubai, his subsequent switch to LIV Golf not negating that achievement, meaning his place in this year's field has long been assured and he has been able to enjoy his time preparing to play in front of a raucous home crowd. The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019? He got a taster of it on Tuesday morning, linking up with good friend Rory McIlroy for one of his surprise early morning 7am practice round tee times where they were joined by 2011 Open champion Darren Clarke, too, with the crowds that slowly gathered almost three deep by the time they reached the 18th. Showing added length off the tee and some quality touches aside from that as well – including a virtual tap-in birdie after an outstanding tee shot on the par-three 13th – McKibbin revelled in the moment of playing alongside two legends he has long admired for the second straight Open. 'It was pretty special,' beamed the 22-year-old, who is a member at Royal Portrush but admits the only times he's played it off the championship tees were in a few recent practice rounds with Clarke. "I came up (on Monday) and did a little bit of practice and just sort of walking around and seeing all the stands up and all the spectators here, it was kind of cool. I didn't really want to leave yesterday (when the weather delay happened), I wanted to stay in and maybe play a few holes. "But then coming out today nice and early and playing with the guys was nice. And the amount of people that sort of came out early was cool to see. 'We did it last year in Troon and to be able to do it again this year here at Portrush was pretty special, to get out there, get 18 holes in and sort of pick their brains a little bit. I came up couple weeks ago and played with Darren a few times, so getting to play with him a little bit more has been nice. "I've been lucky to play a few Irish Opens now, and that's obviously big in itself. And then this is this sort of up another level or so, so it's pretty cool to be involved in it and have those sort of things happen to you.' McKibbin has been trending upward in recent weeks, bouncing back from a run of five events with no top-10 finishes with back-to-back top-fives in the LIV events in Dallas and, most recently, Andalucia at the weekend, and now ranks 14th in the League's individual rankings. Along with that, the Newtownabbey man is no longer overawed by the Major scene having played in three already – the U.S. Open and Open last year, plus this year's PGA Championship – making the cut at all three, and the intention is to start turning made cuts into becoming something of a factor at the weekend. 'I've played nicely. If I can just keep getting better at every one of them, I definitely want to try and finish the highest that I have out of the four,' adds McKibbin, who knows that a top-10 finish at Portrush would guarantee him a spot at Royal Birkdale in a year's time. "My game feels good so hopefully I can continue the nice sort of form that I've had over the last couple of events, and sort of wherever that is at the end of the week, I know that I'll give it my best, and I'm prepared nicely. "(My game) was very nice at the start of the year and then sort of towards the middle things just weren't going my way. I felt like I was playing quite nicely but I couldn't really get the score together and then the last couple of weeks have been nice. "It's nice to see my game, how it felt like it was playing, translate into some nice scores and post a couple of nice finishes.' Indeed, the biggest challenge, as Rory McIlroy found out to his detriment six years ago, is managing the nerves on the opening tee. McKibbin acknowledges he's not quite sure what to expect with his first shot but he's not shying away from the pressure. "I guess I don't know what it'll feel like till I till I get there on Thursday but I'm sure I'll feel it too,' he admits. As for his chances of winning the event? 'I don't know,' he grins modestly.
Belfast Telegraph
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Weather warning in force as major winner explains why he's ‘jealous' of young NI star after morning practice with Rory McIlroy
13 minutes ago Gareth Hanna THE Rory shot on 18 Absolute chef's kiss moment from our photographer John Dickson on 18 with these shots of Rory hitting his approach in towards the wraparound grand stand. And scroll to the 'making of' image with John in the black jacket a red top standing beside Rory's caddy Harry Diamond. 22 minutes ago Gareth Hanna In photos: Rory and his legion of fans The Holywood star took 15 minutes with fans signing autographs after yesterday's round and it was even longer today, with the crowd even bigger. That'll be the continuing trend as the week goes on. 31 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Tom McKibbin: In focus Our Chief Sports Reporter Steven Beacom is going to have a long read on the 22-year-old from Holywood later as the way he was striking the ball in practice this morning has set a few tongues wagging round Royal Portrush. He had one win on the DP World Tour - the European Open in 2023 - before shifting to LIV Golf in January this year. That move - as money-spinning as it is - has meant his access to major tournaments since then has been a little more limited than would ordinarily have been the case. He has played in three so far, with a T41 placed finish at last year's US Open, T66th at the PGA Championship last year and T50s at the same tournament this year. He has qualified to be here this wee care of a top 25 placed finish in the DP World Tour's Race to Dubai last year - so he'll find it even harder to be in majors going forward. If he could bag a top 10 finish this week, it would secure his Open spot next year at least. On the betting front, he's a 110-1 shot to end this week with the Claret Jug. There'll certainly be a few people watching with interest. His long, loose swing, laid-back attitude and long-hitting made for an eye-catching watch for the fans out on the course early on Tuesday. Today 10:08 AM Gareth Hanna Rory true to his word After promising fans all day that he would sign after his round, he's still doing just that. How long do you think it would take him to get through this lot? Today 10:01 AM Gareth Hanna Shots for the gallery Tom McKibbin hits one in close on the 18th…. And Rory hits it closer. The autograph section is PACKED waiting for these guys to sign various bits of merchandise. A HUGE roar as Rory holes a putt. It's just a taster of what we're in for this week. Today 09:53 AM Major winner on why he's 'jealous' of Tom McKibbin A man well known to the north coast has been full of praise of Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin. Jon Rahm was speaking to the media this morning and, when asked about his fellow LIV golfer McKibbin, the 2021 US Open and 2023 Masters champion explained why he's 'jealous' of the 22-year-old. He said: "Tom McKibbin should be really looking forward to this week, being a member here and being from Northern Ireland. He's a fantastic young man. For a 24-year-old to be as calm and collected as he is is quite phenomenal. He's quiet by nature, but even in competition when things go wrong, he stays quite calm, and it's just remarkable and an incredible gift to have for a young player. I don't think I can relate to that whatsoever, so I'm a little bit jealous of that. I think it's going to serve him very well in the long run. "I think he's obviously internally processing the same emotions that all of us are processing, but outwardly he stays really, really calm, and that helps him quite a bit, on top of having a fantastic golf swing. I don't know what it is about Northern Ireland, but they have two of the most beautiful golf swings ever produced in golf. He's a fantastic golfer in general. He's got all the tools he needs to succeed in this game, and so far in his early career, he's done so." Today 09:44 AM Gareth Hanna 'Have a nice hike' Looks like it's the 3-wood off 18 for Darren as his caddy hands out the club and heads off down the fairway, opting not the head up the hill to the tee. Darren takes time to sign a young fan's flag as he heads to the tee. Only an iron for the two big hitters. It's all about playing for position on 18. Hit it into the width of the fair and then worry about the iron shot into the green. Although Tom also tested out a wood. When you can hit as straight as that you may as well take the extra yards! Today 09:40 AM Gareth Hanna Who's the big hitter? I'm not overly surprised to see one of the balls in the greenside bunker belongs to McKibbin. Rory's first drive was just short on the left and his second also found the bunker. Darren a little further back, as is understandable for a man of his vintage. Rory gives the fans a cheer with a tasty bunker shot in tight, and a chuckle when he taps in a 10-foot-plus putt with a wedge. Sure it's easy! Today 09:35 AM Gareth Hanna Let the course do the work The trio have launched their drives down the short, downhill 17th. All they need to do here is get it sent out straight and let the hill take it down to the green. Avoiding the bunkers is easier said than done, and two of the four drives that came over the hill ended up in the green side trap. There are worse places for these guys to be. This is a great place for fans to watch as the green backs on to the par three 13th. So if you're coming down this week, take my tip to get a grand stand spot here for a bit. Today 09:14 AM Gareth Hanna Yellow weather warning issued Not the news the fans want to hear as the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm today. The warning impacts all of NI and the Met Office have said the storms "could produce 15-20 mm of rain in less than an hour, with a few spots seeing 30-40 mm in a few hours. Isolated hail and lightning strikes will be additional hazards." It could certainly cause problems not just here but across NI as the Met Office says driving conditions and public transport could be impacted, flooding of some homes and businesses is possible along with loss of power. NI issued rain and thunder weather warning with potential travel disruption and risk of flooding The Met Office has issued a weather warning across the whole of Northern Ireland with potential travel disruption as a result. Today 09:08 AM Gareth Hanna Who else is on the course? Not that anybody in the crowd cares about watching anybody else out there but there are plenty more around. Currently out there are the likes of Phil Mickelson, who is a hole or two behind Rory and the lads. Elsewhere, Louise Oozthuisen just teed off on the tenth with Justin Thomas coming behind on nine and Ryan Fox on eight. Sepp Straka is back on the picturesque fifth and Francesco Molinari is on the third. while on the practice ground hitting balls are Padraig Harrington, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson, Matteo Manassero and Matthew Jordan. Today 08:55 AM Gareth Hanna In photos: McIlroy, McKibbin and Clarke on the course Today 08:52 AM Adam McKendry Birdie blitz McKibbin converts that birdie on 13 - could he be a dark horse this week? He's been trending the right direction on LIV, finishing in the top-five in Andalucía at the weekend, so maybe this is when it clicks at a Major for him... Today 08:46 AM Gareth Hanna A laugh a minute These early photos capture the mood among the trio pretty accurately Today 08:42 AM Finally a Ror McIlroy holes a long birdie putt on 12 and the crowd responds. Managed to gouge it out of the fescue and then make up and down. Tom McKibbin responds by hitting a dart to about three feet on the par-three 13th. What a shot! Today 08:31 AM Gareth Hanna Late bird still catches a little worm There is a constant flow of fans making their way from the entrance through the course and out towards the back nine where Rory is playing. Today 08:31 AM Adam McKendry Another right for Rory That's a very exasperated look as he pushes another off the tee on 12. Battling with the long club today. Tom McKibbin, meanwhile, pipes one straight down the middle to the praise of Darren Clarke: "That's perfect Tom." For all his size, he can sure hit it a mile. Today 08:25 AM Adam McKendry Show off Rory heads short of the 11th green to hit some chip shots and after some modest attempts, finishes by playing an audacious flop shot that lands right by the hole and checks up to an inch away, to gasps and applause from the crowd. "I wouldn't do that (in a tournament round)!" he quips to his team. Today 08:18 AM Adam McKendry Almost deadly Adam has headed out to the course and with his first action, nearly been killed by Rory McIlroy's drive on 11, which he pushed into the rough down the right. Considered lying down to try and get a glove out of it but no dice. Rory walks up to the ball and asks for it to be thrown back to him, instead opting to hit from the fairway. This is met with a chorus of groans from the fans assembled around it.
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Forrest top Scot as MacIntyre laments "horrific" Scottish Open defence
Forrest himself had to settle for a one-under 69 and his five-under aggregate left him as the leading Scot in the field. 'I didn't have my best stuff, especially over the weekend, but I just tried to do the best with what I had and dug in,' said the 32-year-old. It's not been a vintage campaign for Forrest but, in this pursuit of fine margins, every little helps and a solid enough week on home soil gives him something to build on. Watching Rose go about his composed, clinical business, meanwhile, certainly gave Forrest plenty of food for thought. 'It was seriously impressive,' added the former Scottish Amateur champion, who earned the Jock MacVicar Memorial Trophy as the pick of the tartan troops. 'Getting to play with guys like him is always good. You can see why he's been at the top for so long. 'I played with Lee Westwood here in 2019 and I felt the same about him. Justin hits the ball so accurately and consistently. He only missed one shot today. 'He has total control of the ball. You can see why he's had the success and the longevity at this level. It's good to see the standard that he is at and it can drive you on. But I have work to do.' Forrest, who won his maiden DP World Tour title at St Andrews back in 2021, was languishing down in 124th place on the Race to Dubai coming into the domestic showpiece and a sturdy finish will, at least, get him inching in the right direction. After a brief break, he'll gird himself for a hectic run of events that will make or break his season. 'Once I start up again, I'll only have about two weeks off until November,' he said. 'That's a lot of golf. There are a lot of events and some big points still to play for so I'm not looking at the rankings just now. 'But the way I've played this year, I deserve to be where I am. I need to improve and start playing better.' A little tonic was provided by his old sparring partner, David Law, who lost his DP World Tour card last season but went a long way to bouncing back with a fine victory on the second-tier HotelPlanner Tour in the Czech Republic yesterday. 'It's magic,' beamed Forrest. 'My wife told me when we were out on the course. He must be close to getting back on the DP World Tour again, so that's another inspiration for me. I need to get my finger out and make sure I'm out the main tour with him.' This time last year, Robert MacIntyre coasted over to The Open at Royal Troon on a wave of Scottish Open-winning euphoria. Today, he'll board a ferry to Portrush hoping that the crossing is not too choppy after a trying, disappointing title defence in East Lothian. 'I'm not a boat guy and I hope I don't get seasick,' said the Oban man with a wry smile. He wasn't feeling particularly chipper on dry land last night after a closing one-over 71 left him down on a two-over total. 'Horrific, a terrible week,' was MacIntyre's summing up of affairs. On a firm, fiery Renaissance course that was like a yellow brick road, the 28-year-old felt some equipment issues hindered his progress. 'This is as firm as the course has been,' he added before explaining the technicalities. 'There are some equipment things I need to learn from because it's the first time I've played with these irons in concrete conditions. 'I'd moved into these irons for softer conditions, and I couldn't get the strike, I couldn't get the ball flight in the sky, I couldn't stop it, and so that side of it was annoying me. 'I was just getting too much bounce on this turf with my clubs and it started to affect my distances and yardage control. Winning last year is a memory that will last a lifetime. But this was just a poor week.' We move on quickly in this game, of course. MacIntyre's return to Portrush this week is being eagerly anticipated. 'It's on to probably my favourite links golf course in the world,' he said of the Antrim venue where he finished tied sixth on his Open Championship debut back in 2019. Happy sailing.
NBC Sports
08-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
The Open Championship 2025: Full field and how players qualified for Royal Portrush
Ryan Lavner joins Damon Hack ponders which version of Rory McIlroy will show up at Royal Portrush and why he is "the biggest storyline" entering the final major of the season. The Open Championship takes place July 17-20 at Royal Portrush in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Here's a look at the current players in the field and how they qualified based on the R&A's order of exemption criteria (several players would have qualified via multiple categories; a = amateur). Open champions 60 or under on July 20 Xander Schauffele Brian Harman Cameron Smith Collin Morikawa Shane Lowry Francesco Molinari Jordan Spieth Henrik Stenson Zach Johnson Rory McIlroy Phil Mickelson Ernie Els Darren Clarke Louis Oosthuizen Stewart Cink Padraig Harrington Justin Leonard Top 10 and ties from the 2024 Open Justin Rose Thriston Lawrence Russell Henley Sungjae Im Scottie Scheffler Jon Rahm Adam Scott Daniel Brown Matthew Jordan Masters champions (5-year exemption) Hideki Matsuyama Dustin Johnson PGA champions (5-year exemption) Brooks Koepka Justin Thomas U.S. Open champions (5-year exemption) J.J. Spaun Bryson DeChambeau Wyndham Clark Matt Fitzpatrick BMW PGA Championship winners (3-year exemption) Ryan Fox Top 25 in the 2024 Race to Dubai Rasmus Hojgaard Tyrrell Hatton Paul Waring Tommy Fleetwood Robert MacIntyre Jesper Svensson Niklas Norgaard Matteo Manassero Thorbjorn Olesen Matt Wallace Antoine Rozner Rikuya Hoshino Tom McKibbin Jordan Smith Sebastian Soderberg Guido Migliozzi Romain Langasque Julien Guerrier Laurie Canter Joaquin Niemann Top 30 from the 2024 FedExCup Sahith Theegala Viktor Hovland Sam Burns Ludvig Åberg Taylor Pendrith Matthieu Pavon Patrick Cantlay Keegan Bradley Byeong Hun An Aaron Rai Tony Finau Akshay Bhatia Chris Kirk Sepp Straka Christiaan Bezuidenhout Tom Hoge Top 50 from the Official World Golf Ranking on May 25, 2025 Maverick McNealy Harris English Ben Griffin Daniel Berger Min Woo Lee Thomas Detry Andrew Novak J.T. Poston Jason Day Lucas Glover Denny McCarthy Nick Taylor Tom Kim Max Greyserman Stephan Jaeger Mackenzie Hughes Jhonattan Vegas Leading five players from the top 20 in the Race to Dubai through the BMW International Open Kristoffer Reitan John Parry Haotong Li Daniel Hillier Shaun Norris Leading player not already exempt from the top 5 in LIV Golf standings through LIV Golf Dallas Sergio Garcia Argentina Open winner Justin Suh Qualifiers from the Federations ranking on OWGR John Catlin Daniel Van Tonder Takumi Kanaya Elvis Smylie Japan Open champion Shugo Imahira Senior Open champion KJ Choi British Amateur champion Ethan Fang (a) European Amateur champion Filip Jakubcik (a) Latin America Amateur champion Justin Hastings (a) Open Amateur Series winner Cameron Adam (a) Africa Amateur champion Bryan Newman (a) Open Qualifying Series-Australian Open Ryggs Johnston Marc Leishman Curtis Luck Open Qualifying Series-New Zealand Open Ryan Peake Open Qualifying Series-South African Open Dylan Naidoo Marco Penge Darren Fichardt Open Qualifying Series-Arnold Palmer Invitational Corey Conners Open Qualifying Series-International Series Macau Carlos Ortiz Patrick Reed Jason Kokrak Open Qualifying Series-Korea Open Sadom Kaewkanjana Open Qualifying Series-Mizuno Open Mikiya Akutsu Young-Han Song Riki Kawamoto Open Qualifying Series-Memorial Rickie Fowler Open Qualifying Series-Canadian Open Kevin Yu Cameron Young Matt McCarty Open Qualifying Series-Italian Open Adrien Saddier Martin Couvra Open Qualifying Series-Scottish Open (3 spots) To be determined July 13 Final Regional Qualifying Lee Westwood Daniel Young Angel Hidalgo Jesper Sandborg Connor Graham (a) Harry Hall Jacob Skov Olesen Justin Walters OJ Farrell Frazer Jones (a) Dean Burmester Curtis Knipes Nathan Kimsey Sebastian Cave (a) John Axelsen Lucas Herbert Sampson Zheng George Bloor Richard Teder (a) Oliver Lindell Reserve list to fill the field to 156 players Aldrich Potgieter Nico Echavarria Brian Campbell Michael Kim Bud Cauley Davis Thompson The Associated Press contributed to this field list
