'He's the bar we're all trying to get to' - McIlroy salutes Scheffler after homecoming to savour

It wasn’t to be for the Masters champion, his diminishing chances put to bed by a definitive double bogey at the start of Sunday's back nine. Instead he doffed his cap to the World No.1

Sun, 20 Jul, 2025 - 19:44

Brendan O'Brien, Royal Portrush

All week this Open had revolved around Rory McIlroy. Everyone knew it, plenty said it. His first tee shot at ten past three on Thursday afternoon was a drama six years in the making after his torturous experience on this same links back in 2019.

McIlroy made it through to the weekend this time, and he did his damned best to give the galleries the dénouement they so badly wanted by making a run for what would have been a second victory at golf’s oldest major.

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