Rory McIlroy’s demeanour was telling during his Tuesday practice round ahead of The Open Championship, cutting a relaxed figure at Royal Portrush as he played with Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke
The good vibes were flowing for Rory McIlroy at Royal Portrush on Tuesday(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy cut a relaxed figure as he played the final holes of his practice round at Royal Portrush on Tuesday ahead of The Open Championship.
McIlroy was the first man out on the links for the second day running in his native Northern Ireland, this time teeing it up on the back nine with his countrymen Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke at 7 a.m. local time. Despite the early start, a large crowd assembled to follow the trio of home favorites.
As they played Portrush’s beautiful closing holes, it was apparent just how cool and composed McIlroy – who later knocked some professional autograph hunters down a peg or two – was as he prepares for his second Open challenge on home soil.
And after admitting that he was not properly prepared for the weight of the moment at Royal Portrush six years ago when he started dismally and missed the cut, it can only be a good sign for the 36-year-old fans that he is not showing any signs of being uptight or feeling the pressure of being the hometown hero.
On the 17th green, McIlroy could be overheard discussing his trip to Bilbao, Spain, in May with caddie Harry Diamond to watch their beloved Manchester United lose to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
The good vibes and conversation were flowing, but that did not stop McIlroy from getting his work in. Putting coach Brad Faxon was on hand to keep a close eye on McIlroy’s stroke on the greens, and the five-time major champion also showed off his raw talent by nonchalantly splashing a ball out of the bunker to within tap-in range, drawing a hum of oohs from the crowd.
McIlroy delighted dozens of 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren by signing autographs(Image: Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
McIlroy also engaged in a conversation with former PGA Tour and European Tour member John E. Morgan. Morgan often works on TV coverage in Europe, and he has made a habit of surprising players with old-fashioned wooden persimmon golf clubs for them to try.
Englishman Morgan gifted McIlroy a personalized persimmon club last week at The Renaissance Club for the Scottish Open, and this time he had one for LIV Golf star McKibbin to use on the 18th tee. He duly smoked it down the fairway.
McIlroy took a driving iron off the tee at the 474-yard par-four 18th, something to take note of heading into the tournament. With the hole playing significantly downhill and a significant advantage for finding the fairway, it appears a sensible option.
The trio received warm applause as they arrived at the 18th green. McIlroy was loudly cheered when he drained a short-range putt, and the ovation only grew as, after completing a media obligation, he made his way towards a huge crowd of 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren desperate for his autograph.
It must be draining for McIlroy to do mass autograph signings, with countless people, young and old, bellowing for his attention. But he took it in his stride, and the looks on the faces of the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren he signed things for said a thousand words; the world No. 2 had given them lasting memories.
McIlroy stayed for more than 10 minutes, signing dozens of items for young fans, and he was given a rousing reception as he raised his hand to acknowledge the home support before heading into the bowels of the grandstand atnd exiting the course.
McIlroy does not have a tee time booked for Wednesday’s practice round, although he could still tee it up. And his tournament begins in earnest at 3:10 p.m. local time (10:10 a.m. ET) on Thursday alongside Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood.