Rory McIlroy has reflected on the painful memories of his disastrous start to the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, describing the experience as one of the most difficult of his career. As he prepares to return to the same venue for the 2025 Open, the Northern Irishman admitted that the memory of that opening round is something he still struggles to come to terms with.
Back in 2019, McIlroy was under intense pressure heading into The Open, with expectations soaring from fans hoping to see their local hero lift the Claret Jug on home soil. But the tournament quickly turned into a nightmare. He opened with a quadruple bogey on the first hole and went on to shoot an 8-over-par 79 — a round that all but ended his chances before they had begun.
“That day still stings,” McIlroy said in a recent interview. “I try to forget that part. It was supposed to be a celebration, a return home, and I ended up putting too much pressure on myself.”
Despite bouncing back with a strong second round, McIlroy narrowly missed the cut. The emotional scenes that followed, including a tearful walk off the 18th green, remain etched in the memories of fans.
Now, six years later, McIlroy returns to Royal Portrush determined to turn the page. The course, which holds both pride and pain for him, represents a chance at redemption — and perhaps the end of his long wait for another major title.
“I’m not the same player I was back then,” he said. “I’ve learned how to manage expectations better, and I’m coming back with a different mindset. I want to enjoy the moment this time, no matter what.”
The 2025 Open at Portrush could be a defining week for McIlroy, who hasn’t won a major since 2014. But this time, he’s focused on more than just the scorecard.
