The Open: Rory McIlroy looks to continue ‘amazing’ year with historic home major win at Royal Portrush | Golf News

Rory McILroy insists that he is “very capable” to continue his “incredible” year by following the success of the Grand Chelem with a major historic victory, on the home at home, at the opening.

McILroy became just the sixth player in history to finish the Grand Chelem with his qualifying victory during the Masters in April, where in the third victory in the world of the season put an end to an expectation of 11 years for a fifth major title.

The world No. 2 has experienced difficulties in the next two majors, but has shown a return to form in its last two departures, ending sixth in the Travelers championship before claiming a share of the second from the Genesis Scottish open last week.

McILroy arrives in Royal Portrush with the possibility of winning a first professional victory in Northern Ireland, with the 36 -year -old player ready to take up the challenge and confident to add to his major count.

“I am certainly encouraged by the way in which I played the last two starts, especially last week in Scotland,” said McILroy at his avant-turn press conference. “I think the two weeks of leave after travelers just to reset – to get here, a little change of decor, was really nice.

“When I watched the calendar for 2025, it was the tournament which was probably even more surrounded than the masters for different reasons. It is pleasant to come here already with a major and everything that happened this year.

“I am excited by the place where my game is. I felt like I had shown very good signs last week. I feel like I was in a good place and, not last week was a pure week of preparation, but I really have the impression that it put me in a good place before here.”

McILroy arrived as a favorite of the pre-turnroon when Royal Portrush organized the tournament for the last time in 2019, only to draw a quadruple Bogey at the Parliament first in a 79 opening round and a possible missed cut.

“I think that [fan reception] brought his own pressure and more internally and not really wanting to drop people, “said McILroy.” I guess it’s just something that I did not prepare myself mentally for this day or this week.

“I learned fairly quickly that one of my challenges, especially in a week like this, is to control me and control this battle.

“I spoke to the Masters this last day. The battle this last day was not with Augusta National. It was not with Bryson. It was not with Justin Rose. The battle that day was with myself.

“I think that whenever you are placed in environments like that, that’s essentially what it is. It’s you try to overcome your mind and try to give you this clarity to give you the best chance of achieving a very good performance.”

McILroy traveled in Scotland late Sunday evening and played a full tour at 7 a.m. Monday morning in Royal Portrush, a decision which, according to him, can best help him prepare for a sixth potential major victory.

“The last two majors, at the PGA [Championship] And the United States opens, training circles have taken so long, “admitted McILroy.” I have the impression that there are 50 people inside the strings all the time. I feel like I can’t do a good job, good preparation.

“I didn’t come here in advance to try to get some training tours, so I just wanted to go out early, beat the rush, beat the crowd and do my job with not many people. It worked well.”

More to come from McILroy?

McILroy previously described the realization of the big career chelem earlier this year as “climbing his Everest”, although he remains determined to rely on this memorable victory at the Masters with another major success.

“I always feel like I have much more to give,” insisted McILroy. “Talk about the pressure that is being cut, yes, but we are all competitors. We all want to do better. We all think that we can just get a little more of what we have.

“I alluded to that, but I probably did not give myself enough time to let everything sink. But it is the nature of professional golf. They do a very good job to keep you on the wheel of the hamster and you have the impression that it is difficult to descend sometimes.

“But it was an incredible year. The fact that I am here at Portrush with the green jacket, after having finished this dream for life. I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes to me and enjoy the reaction of the fans and take advantage of being in front of them and playing in front of them.

“But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I am very capable of doing this.”

How can I watch open live on Sky Sports?

Sky Sports is once again the exclusive house of open, with live coverage of the seven days of the tournament week and 24 -hour coverage of the last male major of the year.

The opening wall cover of the opening round starts Thursday from 6.30 am Sky Sports GolfWith a live action available for the four days of tournament and an additional crowd of flow also available on Sky Sports +.

Who will win the open? Look at the last male major of the year throughout the week live on Sky Sports. The live cover of the opening round starts Thursday from 6:30 am Sky Sports Golf. Distribute open and higher sport without a contract.