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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Rory McIlroy returns to Europe win one eye on The Open
The journey north of the border, for the Genesis Scottish Open here at the Renaissance, is something of a significant event. It will be McIlroy's first competitive appearance on this side of the pond since he finally completed the career grand slam in April's Masters. That seismic occasion, which reverberated far beyond golf's boundaries, will take some beating. The Genesis Scottish Open is a mighty showpiece in its own right, but there's no avoiding the looming presence of The Open which takes place in McIlroy's backyard of Royal Portrush next week. Just six years after returning to Northern Ireland in 2019 – it hadn't been staged there since 1951 – golf's most venerated major is back in town. A lot, of course, happened between Max Faulkner's win there at the start of the 1950s and Shane Lowry's triumph 68 years later. After decades dominated by The Troubles, McIlroy continues to savour the opportunity to showcase his homeland in a positive light. 'I think it's a great representation of how far Northern Ireland has come in the last 30 or 40 years,' said the world No 2. 'In the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, no one would have dreamed of hosting an Open Championship in Northern Ireland. So, it's a testament to the people of Northern Ireland for how far we as a country have come. 'I think my generation couldn't care less about what had happened in the past. Everyone's just looking forward. "My mum and dad both grew up in the 60s and the 70s and Northern Ireland was a very different place. I feel very fortunate that I'm of the generation that I am that I didn't have to deal with any of that or very little of it. 'It has come a long, long way. People really appreciate when a huge sporting event that the world's eyes are on that week happens. Everyone there really appreciates that and are excited to show the country in the best light possible.' It'll all be happening in Portrush. A planned loyalist parade on the Saturday night of the third round is giving the R&A some logistical headaches with some 60 bands and 2000 participants expected to march through the streets just as vast crowds are exiting the sold-out golf. The last time The Open was staged on the Antrim coast, McIlroy wasn't there on the Saturday as he missed the cut. A calamitous first round gave him too much to do, despite a heroic rally on day two which was played out on an emotional tidal wave of support. At 36, McIlroy is well aware that he may not have many more opportunities to win an Open among his ain folk. 'If venues matter to you, it maybe puts a little bit more pressure on you,' McIlroy said. 'I would love to win an Open at Portrush, absolutely. I would love to win an Open at St Andrews. I would love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. 'There are venues in the game that just mean a little bit more. It's a little like when [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics last year: he knew that was doing to be his final chance, and you saw the emotion and you saw how much it meant to him. 'You think about it, and you can't pretend that it's not there. But when you are on the course, you just have to go out there and play as if you're not playing at home and just play as if it's another tournament. But obviously there is a little more emphasis. There's something extra there.' As part of a stacked field at the Renaissance that features eight of the world's top-10, McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open title in 2023, has arrived on this terrific golfing coast feeling energised. It's good to be back. 'The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide,' McIlroy said of this refreshing change of scene from his adopted home in Florida. 'Sometimes you need that to completely get away. I feel like this world of golf can become all-encompassing if you let it. 'There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here, when you play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year. It's been lovely to get back and see some familiar faces.'
The National
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Rory McIlroy returns to Europe win one eye on The Open
Presumably, he's been heaving boxes, painting walls and trying to fathom out how the ruddy boiler works? The journey north of the border, for the Genesis Scottish Open here at the Renaissance, is something of a significant event. It will be McIlroy's first competitive appearance on this side of the pond since he finally completed the career grand slam in April's Masters. That seismic occasion, which reverberated far beyond golf's boundaries, will take some beating. The Genesis Scottish Open is a mighty showpiece in its own right, but there's no avoiding the looming presence of The Open which takes place in McIlroy's backyard of Royal Portrush next week. Just six years after returning to Northern Ireland in 2019 – it hadn't been staged there since 1951 – golf's most venerated major is back in town. A lot, of course, happened between Max Faulkner's win there at the start of the 1950s and Shane Lowry's triumph 68 years later. After decades dominated by The Troubles, McIlroy continues to savour the opportunity to showcase his homeland in a positive light. 'I think it's a great representation of how far Northern Ireland has come in the last 30 or 40 years,' said the world No 2. 'In the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, no one would have dreamed of hosting an Open Championship in Northern Ireland. So, it's a testament to the people of Northern Ireland for how far we as a country have come. 'I think my generation couldn't care less about what had happened in the past. Everyone's just looking forward. "My mum and dad both grew up in the 60s and the 70s and Northern Ireland was a very different place. I feel very fortunate that I'm of the generation that I am that I didn't have to deal with any of that or very little of it. 'It has come a long, long way. People really appreciate when a huge sporting event that the world's eyes are on that week happens. Everyone there really appreciates that and are excited to show the country in the best light possible.' It'll all be happening in Portrush. A planned loyalist parade on the Saturday night of the third round is giving the R&A some logistical headaches with some 60 bands and 2000 participants expected to march through the streets just as vast crowds are exiting the sold-out golf. The last time The Open was staged on the Antrim coast, McIlroy wasn't there on the Saturday as he missed the cut. A calamitous first round gave him too much to do, despite a heroic rally on day two which was played out on an emotional tidal wave of support. At 36, McIlroy is well aware that he may not have many more opportunities to win an Open among his ain folk. 'If venues matter to you, it maybe puts a little bit more pressure on you,' McIlroy said. 'I would love to win an Open at Portrush, absolutely. I would love to win an Open at St Andrews. I would love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. 'There are venues in the game that just mean a little bit more. It's a little like when [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics last year: he knew that was doing to be his final chance, and you saw the emotion and you saw how much it meant to him. 'You think about it, and you can't pretend that it's not there. But when you are on the course, you just have to go out there and play as if you're not playing at home and just play as if it's another tournament. But obviously there is a little more emphasis. There's something extra there.' As part of a stacked field at the Renaissance that features eight of the world's top-10, McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open title in 2023, has arrived on this terrific golfing coast feeling energised. It's good to be back. 'The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide,' McIlroy said of this refreshing change of scene from his adopted home in Florida. 'Sometimes you need that to completely get away. I feel like this world of golf can become all-encompassing if you let it. 'There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here, when you play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year. It's been lovely to get back and see some familiar faces.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
‘It would mean a little bit more': Rory McIlroy returns to Europe with eyes on Open tilt
While it is likely that for Rory McIlroy nothing will ever top the euphoria of Augusta National in April, victory at an Open Championship staged in Northern Ireland could at least come close. McIlroy's return to Europe for the Scottish Open is notable in itself as his first playing appearance on this continent since claiming the career grand slam, but next week and Royal Portrush looms large. McIlroy has revelled in the appearance of his homeland in the positive sporting spotlight after decades dominated by The Troubles. 'I think it's a great representation of how far Northern Ireland has come in the last 30 or 40 years,' said McIlroy. 'In the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, no one would have dreamed of hosting an Open Championship in Northern Ireland. So it's a testament to the people of Northern Ireland for how far we as a country have come. 'I think my generation couldn't care less about what had happened in the past. Everyone's just looking forward. My mum and dad both grew up in the 60s and the 70s and Northern Ireland was a very different place. I feel very fortunate that I'm of the generation that I am that I didn't have to deal with any of that or very little of it. 'It has come a long, long way. People really appreciate when a huge sporting event that the world's eyes are on that week happens. Everyone there really appreciates that and excited to show the country in the best light possible.' McIlroy will have a particular score to settle when he returns to the Antrim coast. In 2019, during the Open's first Portrush staging since 1951, a disastrous first round contributed towards him missing the cut. McIlroy rallied in round two with the backing of vociferous support but fell short. The 36-year-old will know there will not be many more Portrush Open opportunities for him. 'If venues matter to you, it maybe puts a little bit more pressure on you,' McIlroy explained. 'I would love to win an Open at Portrush, absolutely. I would love to win an Open at St Andrews. I would love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. There are venues in the game that just mean a little bit more. Having Portrush from home and the experience I had there last time … the Friday was amazing, the Thursday, not too much. 'It's a little like when [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics last year: he knew that was going to be his final chance, and you saw the emotion and you saw how much it meant to him. You think about it, and you can't pretend that it's not there. But when you are on the course, you just have to go out there and play as if you're not playing at home and just play as if it's another tournament. It obviously is a little more emphasis. There's something extra there, just like there is at an Open at St Andrews or a US Open at Pebble Beach, for example.' First, Scotland. A stellar field at the Renaissance also includes the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler. Eight of the world's top 10 will tee up in East Lothian. McIlroy clearly relishes his trips back from his adopted home of Florida. 'The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide,' McIlroy said. 'Sometimes you need that to completely get away. I feel like this world of golf can become all encompassing if you let it. 'There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here, when you play PGA Tour golf for that sort of first 25, 30 weeks of the year. It's been lovely to get back and see some familiar faces.' Guardian
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘It would mean a little bit more': McIlroy returns to Europe with eyes on Open tilt
While it is likely that for Rory McIlroy nothing will ever top the euphoria of Augusta National in April, victory at an Open Championship staged in Northern Ireland could at least come close. McIlroy's return to Europe for the Scottish Open is notable in itself as his first playing appearance on this continent since claiming the career grand slam, but next week and Royal Portrush looms large. McIlroy has revelled in the appearance of his homeland in the positive sporting spotlight after decades dominated by The Troubles. 'I think it's a great representation of how far Northern Ireland has come in the last 30 or 40 years,' said McIlroy. 'In the 70s, the 80s and the 90s, no one would have dreamed of hosting an Open Championship in Northern Ireland. So it's a testament to the people of Northern Ireland for how far we as a country have come. 'I think my generation couldn't care less about what had happened in the past. Everyone's just looking forward. My mum and dad both grew up in the 60s and the 70s and Northern Ireland was a very different place. I feel very fortunate that I'm of the generation that I am that I didn't have to deal with any of that or very little of it. 'It has come a long, long way. People really appreciate when a huge sporting event that the world's eyes are on that week happens. Everyone there really appreciates that and excited to show the country in the best light possible.' McIlroy will have a particular score to settle when he returns to the Antrim coast. In 2019, during the Open's first Portrush staging since 1951, a disastrous first round contributed towards him missing the cut. McIlroy rallied in round two with the backing of vociferous support but fell short. The 36-year-old will know there will not be many more Portrush Open opportunities for him. 'If venues matter to you, it maybe puts a little bit more pressure on you,' McIlroy explained. 'I would love to win an Open at Portrush, absolutely. I would love to win an Open at St Andrews. I would love to win a US Open at Pebble Beach. There are venues in the game that just mean a little bit more. Having Portrush from home and the experience I had there last time … the Friday was amazing, the Thursday, not too much. 'It's a little like when [Novak] Djokovic won the Olympics last year: he knew that was doing to be his final chance, and you saw the emotion and you saw how much it meant to him. You think about it, and you can't pretend that it's not there. But when you are on the course, you just have to go out there and play as if you're not playing at home and just play as if it's another tournament. It obviously is a little more emphasis. There's something extra there, just like there is at an Open at St Andrews or a US Open at Pebble Beach, for example.' First, Scotland. A stellar field at the Renaissance also includes the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler. Eight of the world's top 10 will tee up in East Lothian. McIlroy clearly relishes his trips back from his adopted home of Florida. 'The one thing I would say about the last couple of weeks is I felt like I could detach a little bit more and sort of hide,' McIlroy said. 'Sometimes you need that to completely get away. I feel like this world of golf can become all encompassing if you let it. 'There's a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here, when you play PGA Tour golf for that sort of first 25, 30 weeks of the year. It's been lovely to get back and see some familiar faces.'
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
New book by Wicklow writers' group has stories and poems ‘that will break your heart'
The group of eight emerging writers meet weekly in a room above the Mermaid Theatre in Bray, and they pledged all profits from sales of the book to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The anthology also features photographs by Bray Camera Club, many of them local scenes, including the book's cover shot of Bray Head at sunrise. The stories and poems range from a memoir of a life in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, to tales of family grievances and sliding door moments that change lives forever. Founder of the group, Mairead De Bhal, believes there is something for every taste. 'The great thing about an anthology of different writers is that it will inevitably capture a full range of emotions,' she said. 'We have stories that will raise a smile next to poems that will break your heart.' Alice Sheridan, a former journalist and magazine publisher, joined Sea Scribes to develop her fiction and contributes four short stories to the book. She commented, 'There's a big difference between journalism and creative writing, and I relished the opportunity to focus on my fiction, especially when I knew it was supporting such a good cause as the RNLI.' Barbara Murphy was one of the first to join the group, a Bray resident who has been involved with local writing initiatives for many years. 'It's a great way to develop your skills with like-minded people who share ideas and give constructive feedback. I'm delighted to be involved with the book,' she said. Another of the writers, Tadg Paul, rediscovered a passion for poetry after an injury left him hospitalised for almost a year. 'I wrote a lot when I was younger and have come back to it with a new enthusiasm, thanks in part to SeaScribes and my involvement in the book,' he said. Other contributors are Lesley Smith, Thomas McMahon, Naoimh O'Connor and Ian Campbell. Cargo Of The Soul is available to buy on and all profits go to the RNLI. The authors will be reading extracts from the book in Greystones Library on Saturday, July 12 at 3pm.
