A noisy reception will greet Rory McIlroy as the British Open returns to Royal Portrush and Northern Ireland for the first time on Thursday since Shane Raleigh’s 2019 victory.
McIlroy is told to an expected crowd of 200,000 over four days after completing an 11-year wait to complete a career grand slam with the Masters in April.
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But a long list of candidates, including world number one Scotty Schaufferer and reigning champion Zander Schauffere, stands between his hometown hero and the Second Claret Jag.
“When I was looking at the 2025 calendar, this was a tournament that was even more circling than the Masters for a number of reasons,” he told reporters after Monday’s practice round.
“It’s nice to come here with the Major and everything else that’s happened already. I’m excited about where my game is.”
McIlroy is eager to have a better show than 2019. He missed the cut despite his second billing when he opened the tournament with a bogey under the catastrophic quarter on his way to first round 79.
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“It feels a bit blurry on Thursday golf, and I’m trying to forget some of it,” said the 36-year-old, who shot a 61 in Portrush 20 years ago.
“But I remember running on a Friday. I remember running to do a charge and try to cut. And I hit a 6-iron to the 14th second shot, and I remember the roaring from the crowd…
“It was really special.”
McIlroy will play the first two rounds alongside World No. 4 Justin Thomas and England’s Tommy Fleetwood, tee off at 3:10pm (1410 GMT) on Thursday.
-schauffele is looking for the best –
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Schaufele is undoubtedly one of the two most informed players in the world alongside Schaeffler, snatching his second major title of 2024 with Toon 12 months ago.
The American has not posted a top five finish this year, and admits he is struggling with the rhythm.
Last weekend, North Berwick’s eighth effort at the Scottish Open offered a faint hope that returning to the link course would help him rediscover his form.
“I think I had a better understanding of what I was doing, and that helped me when I was hitting bad shots,” he said of his efforts in Scotland.
The final 11 Open will produce their first champions, with the final winner lifting the trophy Ernie Elles in 2012.
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Schaeffler is one of the players who hopes that the trend will continue.
The 29-year-old is a title favourite after bouncing off the characteristically late start of the season.
The three-time major champions have finished the top 10 in each of their last 10 starts, winning three times, including the PGA Championship.
“I couldn’t care if it was a favorite or not,” Schaeffler said. “We all have started pars as well, and the tournament starts on Thursday, and that’s pretty much everything that matters.”
Laurie sparked a scene of joy with his sensational six-shot victory when the Ireland held the competition for the first time in 68 years six years ago.
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The Irish are still waiting for their second major title despite a series of near misses since.
“I’m a better golfer than I did in 2019,” he said.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to win a seven this year, not a six.
“It’s just golf. That’s right. As a golfer, I think you have to always see it because your glasses are always half full. You can’t see it any other way.”
The 7,381-yard, par 71 layout offers a rigorous test that is predicted to be rainy and refreshing for all four days.
Ireland’s two-time champion Padraig Harrington hit the opening tee shot at 6:35am local time, playing with Northern Ireland youth Tom McKibin and Denmark’s Nikolai Whaugard.
JC/NF
