McIlroy Eyes Redemption at Portrush as British Open Tees Off

Posted : 17 July 2025

Rory McIlroy is set to receive a hero’s welcome as the 153rd British Open begins at Royal Portrush on Thursday. Returning to his home soil, the Northern Irishman arrives as the reigning Masters champion and with renewed confidence, aiming to erase the painful memory of his 2019 Open at the same venue, where a disastrous opening-hole quadruple bogey led to a missed cut.

Nearly 280,000 fans are expected over four days, with McIlroy as the central figure. The world No. 2 will tee off at 3:10 p.m. local time alongside Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood and American rival Justin Thomas. Weather could play a big role in the early rounds, with wind and evening thunderstorms forecasted for Thursday.

McIlroy, who famously shot a course-record 61 at Portrush as a 16-year-old, is feeling optimistic. "This event was probably circled more than the Masters when I looked at the 2025 calendar," he said. Coming off a runner-up finish at the Scottish Open, he added, "I’m thrilled to be here already having won a major this year. I really like where my game is right now."

While McIlroy brings star power and hometown passion, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters as the tournament favorite. Although he's never won the Open, Scheffler has enjoyed a stellar year, including three wins and a third career major at the PGA Championship. His streak of 10 consecutive top-10 finishes continued last week in Scotland, yet the American expressed deeper reflections ahead of Portrush.

"People chase success thinking it will fulfill them, but you get to No. 1, and sometimes you wonder what it’s all for," Scheffler remarked. "The joy of winning lasts only minutes."

Defending champion Xander Schauffele is looking to recapture the form that brought him two major titles earlier this year. Currently ranked world No. 3, he has struggled to maintain consistency, going winless and without a top-five finish in his past 12 events.

Shane Lowry, who triumphed in 2019 at Portrush to wild scenes of celebration, also returns hoping for another historic week. His victory, now immortalized with a mural in the town, remains a career-defining moment. “It didn’t change me as a person,” Lowry said. “I’m just a regular guy who’s decent at golf and lucky to have had that experience.”

Several players are also eyeing valuable points toward Ryder Cup qualification. As it stands, only McIlroy and Scheffler are guaranteed spots for the September showdown at Bethpage, New York.

The championship will begin with two-time Open winner Padraig Harrington hitting the first tee shot at 6:35 a.m. local time. He’ll play alongside Northern Ireland’s young talent Tom McKibbin and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard in what promises to be a thrilling opening day.

McIlroy Eyes Redemption at Portrush as British Open Tees Off

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