47 m. ago ‘Proud’ Darren Clarke says Rory McIlroy will receive ‘unbelievable’ reception at Royal Portrush

The 2011 Open champion says he’s ‘proud’ of McIlroy’s achievements after his fellow countryman completed a career grand slam when winning the Masters in April

Politics

2 h. ago Darren Clarke back at Royal Portrush with high hopes for McIlroy – and himself

The 2011 Open winner practised on Tuesday with the Masters champion and Tom McKibbin, and is keen for all three to make their markThe 7am tee-time practice trio on Tuesday at Royal Portrush: Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin. The galleries grew and grew. The venue for the Open this week was the site of a starstruck McIlroy meeting Clarke on his 10th birthday in 1999. Clarke’s foundation played a key role in the early development of McIlroy. McKibbin, as a 13-year-old playing at McIlroy’s home club in Holywood, was invited by him to play in the Irish Open’s pro-am in 2016. The connections are as uplifting as they are strong.Clarke’s description of seeing McIlroy win the Masters in April, completing his set of majors, is therefore understandable. “I watched every shot,” Clarke says. “I couldn’t take my eyes off it. Rory winning there was almost like watching my two boys, Tyrone and Conor, win. I was that emotional. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Rory McIlroy denied 'greatest' tag as Open challenge laid down to Masters champion

Rory McIlroy recently completed the Career Slam at the Masters but Sir Nick Faldo still views Seve Ballesteros as Europe's greatest player, challenging the Northern Irishman to win another Major

Politics

4 h. ago The Open 2025: 10 names to watch at Royal Portrush as Tiger Woods repeat eyed

There are no shortage of big names with their eyes on the Claret Jug at Royal Portrush this week - Rory McIlroy has a score to settle, Scottie Scheffler feels he must now add more Majors and Jon Rahm looks to finally get the job done

Politics

4 h. ago Which bookies are offering Free Bets ahead of The Open Championship 2025

Golf's finest - the likes Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood - arrive at Royal Portrush ahead of the Open Championship which promises to be a busy market for the bookmakers this week

Sport

17 h. ago What time does Rory McIlroy tee off at The Open? Start times, how to watch, prize money and latest odds

Masters champion targeting second career Claret Jug on home turf in Northern Ireland

Politics

19 h. ago The Open tee times: First round groupings and start times at Royal Portrush including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler

Alongside Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, contenders for the Claret Jug come in the shape of defending champion Xander Schauffele and home favourite Shane Lowry after his famous victory here in 2019

Politics

20 h. ago What time do Bob MacIntyre, Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler tee off at Open

Draw for the first two days at Portrush throws up big threeballs

Politics

26 h. ago Meet the French Rory McIlroy who insists he's not out to imitate the golf superstar

Emerging starlet flattered with comparion to superstar but it's not deliberate

Politics

26 h. ago PGA Tour ace's dad appalled by Rory McIlroy behaviour and incident with Shane Lowry's wife

The drama that occurred at the 2023 edition of the Ryder Cup has left Xander Schauffele's father, Stefan, on a mission to boycott the event later this year

Politics

32 h. ago The house that built Rory: Inside McIlroy's childhood home, his local pub and the 'lightning' putting green that forged a champion

This is Holywood, where a star was born 36 years ago, and an hour or so north from here is Royal Portrush, where that same guy will challenge for the Claret Jug this week.

Society

36 h. ago What Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry really think about each other as Irish pair gear up for Open battle

The brilliant Irish pair are close pals on and off the golf course and they've both spoken about their relationship

Events

39 h. ago Rory McIlroy adopts new tactic to Open preparations after "four hours sleep"

Masters champion Rory McIlroy didn't rest up for long after his near miss at the Scottish Open as he got out early for his practice round at Royal Portrush in Ireland

Politics

40 h. ago Rory McIlroy told to change his character as Open champion’s dad weighs in with £296m claim

The Open Championship gets underway at Royal Portrush on Thursday, with 2014 champion Rory McIlroy among the major contenders to get his hands on the Claret Jug

Economics

41 h. ago McIlroy vows ‘the story isn’t over’ as he revels in Royal Portrush support at the Open

McIlroy embraces backing on Northern Ireland returnMasters champion warns field he has regained focusRory McIlroy has promised to revel in the Northern Irish love during the Open Championship this week, with the 36-year-old also warning fellow competitors that he has regained focus after claiming the Masters in April. “The story certainly isn’t over,” he insisted.McIlroy has returned to Royal Portrush for the first time since 2019, when he admitted the scale of ovation on the Open’s first tee contributed to him whacking his ball out of bounds. He later missed the cut. Continue reading...

Politics

41 h. ago Rory McIlroy makes key change to his mindset as there's one Open mistake he won't make again

McIroy hid from the adulation in 2019 and he won't be making that mistake at Portrush again this time

Politics

43 h. ago Rory McIlroy determined to embrace adulation on Royal Portrush return

The Masters champion missed the cut last time the Open was staged on the Northern Irish links in 2019.

Politics

43 h. ago Rory McIlroy makes honest admission about The Open with clear Masters comparison

Rory McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam earlier this year by winning The Masters at Augusta National - but winning The Open at Portrush has always been his main aim for 2025

Events

43 h. ago West Lothian struggles to meet housing demand despite new builds

The county comes in third place behind neighbour authorities for the number of new houses built since the turn of the century.

Politics

62 h. ago Chris Gotterup keeps nerve to hold off Rory McIlroy and win Scottish Open

World No 158 claims second tour title with North Berwick triumphAmerican also had to battle the clock during the closing stagesEast Lothian witnessed a David v Goliath story as Rory McIlroy was denied victory immediately before his return to Northern Ireland for the Open Championship. Chris Gotterup, who arrived at the Scottish Open as the 158th-ranked player in the world, saw off McIlroy for the biggest win of his career.McIlroy’s thoughts have already turned towards Royal Portrush and the major that has carried even more significance for the 36-year-old since he completed a career grand slam at Augusta National in April. Continue reading...

Politics