00:00 – Intro
00:16 – Rory McIlroy’s Triumphant Return to The Open Championship
08:24 – Rory McIlroy’s 61 at Royal Portrush: A Legacy of Excellence in Golf
17:09 – Harris English Leads the Pack: Open’s Longest Day Recap
1. Rory McIlroy’s Triumphant Return to The Open Championship
Witness Rory McIlroy’s epic comeback at the 2025 Open Championship. After a six-year journey, McIlroy returns to Royal Portrush, showcasing his improved skills and mental fortitude. Despite a challenging start, he finishes strong, keeping his name firmly in the championship. This video highlights McIlroy’s performance, the electric atmosphere, and the unwavering support from his fans. Don’t miss this incredible moment in golfing history!
2. Rory McIlroy’s 61 at Royal Portrush: A Legacy of Excellence in Golf
In 2005, 16-year-old Rory McIlroy set a course record at Royal Portrush with a stunning 61, marking the beginning of his legendary career. This historic moment, now 20 years later, is celebrated by those who witnessed it. The article highlights McIlroy’s growth from a promising young golfer to a global icon, his iconic 61, and the unforgettable crowd reactions. It explores the impact of this milestone on his career, the legacy of the Open Championship, and the enduring story of a champion who never stopped striving. #Golf #RoryMcIlroy #OpenChampionship #celebritynews
3. Harris English Leads the Pack: Open’s Longest Day Recap
Dive into the thrilling highlights of the Open’s longest day where Harris English emerges as a key contender. Rory McIlroy’s tenacious performance and Scottie Scheffler’s strategic play keep the competition tight. Discover the unique stories behind the leaders, including Christiaan Bezuidenhout’s remarkable journey and Sadom Kaewkanjana’s quest to become the first ordained monk to win the Claret Jug. Don’t miss the dramatic moments, from extended round times to surprising setbacks for top players. #Golf #OpenChampionship #HarrisEnglish #RoryMcIlroy #ScottieScheffler
One, Rory Mroyy’s triumphant return to the Open Championship. Two, Rory Mroyy’s 61 at Royal Portridge, a legacy of excellence in golf. Three, Harris English leads a pack. Open’s longest day recap. One, Rory Mroyy’s triumphant return to the Open Championship. The 2025 Open Championship has provided some intriguing insights, particularly regarding Rory Mroyy’s promising return and Scotty Shuffler’s impressive putting performance. After a six-year hiatus, Rory Mroy made a significant comeback at Royal Portrait for the Open Championship, now proudly holding the title of a career grand slam winner. His day was a roller coaster of emotions where the challenging aspects of the game felt manageable while the simpler tasks proved to be more difficult. Ultimately, Mroy finished with a score of one under 70, marking a remarkable nstroke improvement from his initial round in 2019. This score positioned him just three strokes behind a leading group of five players, keeping him firmly in contention for the championship. The support is absolutely incredible. Mroy expressed, “I feel the backing of an entire nation, which is a fantastic feeling. However, it also brings a certain pressure to not disappoint them.” He continued, “I felt I managed that pressure much better today than I did 6 years ago. I was thrilled to start strong and get into the tournament. I was a bit surprised that four under was leading. I expected someone might have shot six or seven today. Being only three back with 54 holes left, I’m quite pleased with my position. Despite the changes over the past 6 years since his infamous first T-shot that went out of bounds, Mroy has remained grounded. At 36, he feels more prepared both physically and mentally to shoulder the expectations of a nation. Yet, even a season five time major champion can feel the weight of such expectations. Instead of trying to ignore these nerves, Mroy has chosen to embrace them, welcoming the fans, the good shots, and the bad ones alike. His first T-shot was an improvement, but a bogey on the second hole quickly reminded him of the challenges ahead. Throughout the round, he struggled with accuracy, hitting only two fairways, which tied him for the least in the field. Nevertheless, Mroy pressed on, relying on other strengths in his game. He managed to score birdies on both par. Five holes on the front nine along with a long putt on the short par 4 fifth. Another birdie on the par 410th thanks to a precise wedge shot propelled him to three under. As he approached the halfway point of the round, Mroy was just one stroke behind the early leaders and the crowd buzzed with excitement. 6 years after his struggles, he was now the one in control at Royal Portrait. However, the par 71 course had its challenges and Mroy faced setbacks with bogeies on the 11th and 12th holes which could have been avoided just when it seemed he might falter again. Mroy made a crucial 10-ft putt that reignited his momentum. That was important, he noted. It was a huge putt to maintain whatever momentum I had. This putt, while seemingly minor in the grand scheme of the tournament, was significant for both Mroy and his supporters, calming their nerves and allowing him to finish the last three holes at one. The crowd cheered him on as he completed his round, filled with hope for what the next 54 holes might bring. Unlike his previous experience, this time was about looking forward rather than dwelling on the past. As he prepares for Friday, Mroy is focused on creating a memorable weekend rather than just making the cut, reflecting on his past experiences. I feel more prepared this time. I know what to expect, unlike last time when everything was new to me. I had never played an open at home before, and I was unsure how I would feel or how the crowd would react. Now I have a clearer understanding of what lies ahead. In a notable moment, Potter Harington, a two-time open champion, was chosen to hit the first T-shot of the 153rd championship. Despite an early wakeup call, he was filled with anticipation after a strong performance at the Scottish Open. I came off the range about 20 minutes before my tea time, and I saw the grandstand empty, Harrington recalled. I thought it would be full, but as I approached, I saw a long line of people waiting to get in. By the time I arrived, the grandstand and fairways were packed. Despite his competitive nature, Harrington admitted to feeling emotional at the tea box, receiving a warm welcome from the crowd. He split the fairway and carded an opening birdie, setting a positive tone for the championship. I usually get emotional watching movies on planes, but this was different. It felt like the crowd was there for me, and I had to adjust to that feeling. It was a great honor to be the first to tee off, and I’m glad I had the opportunity. In a surprising twist, seven players aged 44 or older found themselves in the top 20, showcasing the depth of talent in the field. This included past champions like Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, and Zack Johnson, as well as Lee Westwood, who qualified through open qualifying. “Seeing your name up there on a Thursday is fantastic. Let’s see if it’s still there on Sunday,” Westwood joked. Walking down the 18th is the greatest experience for a British player, especially if you’re in contention. Phil Mickelson at 55 continues to make waves on major leaderboards. He opened with a solid 70, showcasing his enjoyment of the challenging conditions. “I played really well and had a great opportunity,” Mickelson said. “I love playing in these conditions. It’s just a lot of fun.” Mickelson faced the elements head-on, dawning full rain gear and managing to score three birdies against two bogeies. He reflected on his 2013 Open victory, stating, “Winning the Open was my greatest achievement because I had to adapt to a style of golf I wasn’t used to. It’s a source of pride to overcome those challenges.” The weather on Thursday was a stark contrast to the sunny skies of Wednesday, presenting players with a variety of conditions. The morning wave faced the worst of it, while those in the afternoon enjoyed slightly better conditions, leading to a scoring average of 1.50 strokes lower. The weather here is the craziest I’ve ever experienced, Jason Day remarked. There’s no consistency at all. I’d love to be a weatherman here. You’d always be wrong. Scotty Shuffler began his open with a solid 68. Despite hitting only three fairways, he felt confident in his driving, even in challenging conditions. “I thought I drove it well, but it’s tough to keep the ball in the fairway when it’s raining sideways,” he explained. Shuffler’s pudding performance was noteworthy as he gained over two strokes on the field, a significant improvement that could lead to a major championship title if it continues. The English players are feeling optimistic as it has been 33 years since an Englishman last lifted the Clar Jug. With Matt Fitzpatrick sharing the lead and several others close behind, there’s hope that this year could break the drought. I feel like I’m coming here as a contender, which is great. Justin Rose said, “I’m not looking for something magical. I just need to play my game and give myself a chance.” Sadam Kaiikenjana who took a break from golf to live as a Buddhist monk returned to the professional scene and made a strong start with a 68. He credited his focus mindset for his success. Staying in the present is key for me. He stated on the other hand Bryson Dashambo struggled once again failing to break 70 for the seventh consecutive round in the open. His opening score of 78 included two double bogeies and three bogeies, leaving him in a precarious position as he aims to avoid missing the cut for the second time in a row. As the championship unfolds, the excitement and unpredictability of the Open continue to captivate fans and players alike. Two, Rory Mroyy’s 61 at Royal Portridge, a legacy of excellence in golf. The Open 2025. You have to witness Mroyy’s brilliance. A recount of Rory’s astonishing 61 at royal portrait from those who experienced it firsthand. Jonathan Bradley, senior journalist, BBC Sport and Eye. It was simply incredible. While he is undoubtedly a superstar today, the truth is that he was already on the path to greatness after that remarkable day. Almost two decades ago, a 16-year-old Rory Mroy made waves at Royal Portridge, the sight of this week’s 153rd Open Championship by completing the course in just 61 strokes, thereby establishing a new record. Aaron O’ Callahan, one of Mroyy’s companions during that memorable round, recalls how the young golfer elevated his game to an entirely new level over those 18 holes. Now the coach at East Tennessee State University, an institution Mroy initially intended to attend before opting to turn professional, Okalahan vividly remembers how the crowd grew as news of Mroyy’s performance spread. O’alahan first met Mroy when he was still in primary school and was struck by the idea of encountering a future world champion regardless of age. I remember thinking, not just Northern Ireland, not just Ireland, the best in the world. And here’s this kid with a huge smile on his face he shared with BBC Sport. This was before he witnessed Mroy in action with a golf club. He swung the club just like he does now. Watching him with his small cut down driver or a sevenwood, he never missed the sweet spot of the club face. Always right on target. No miss hits to the left side of the fairway. just pure shots. Over the years, Okalahan became both a friend and a frequent playing partner of Mroy. He fondly recalls feeling honored to play alongside Mroy and their mutual friend, Steven Crowe, during the North of Ireland Championship in July 2005. On the first day of this prestigious event, O’kellahan managed to score par on the adjacent valley course, edging out Mroy by a single stroke. But then came the round that would change everything. Mroy had first played the iconic Dunloose Lynx to celebrate his 10th birthday. Around that time, he was interviewed by BBCNI, expressing his ambition to win all of the majors. His three underpar score on the front nine of the second day at the North was impressive, but it hardly hinted at the legendary round that was about to unfold. I was concentrating on my own game during the Front N quite well. I was somewhat in the zone, O’ Callahan recalled. Then Mroy eagled the 10th hole, bringing his score to five under as we walked down the 11th. The course has changed a bit since then, but it was a par three going downhill. I remember him hitting a great shot, and Stevie turned to me and said, “Rosars is on fire today.” Honestly, I hadn’t even noticed how well he was playing. I knew he was doing great, but I didn’t realize he was five under. From that moment, I stopped focusing on my game and started watching him instead. And so did nearly everyone else on the course. A twist of fate placed Randall Evans, the previous course record holder, in the group behind, giving him a front row seat to witness his record being shattered by three strokes. By the summer of 2005, Evans had known Mroy for years. And that day in portrait, he noticed a significant change in the young golfer. He dressed differently from everyone else. He looked like a tour pro already, Evans remarked. He just exuded class, wearing white shoes, white trousers, a white t-shirt, and a pink belt and hat. That kind of confidence only comes from being exceptionally talented. As news of Mroy score spread, the crowd around the group grew and his playing partners began to feel more like spectators. Rory would have attracted a crowd anywhere in Ireland. Wherever he went, if you were paired with him, there would be at least 20 people from the club wanting to watch him play. O’kellahan noted. We started with about 20 or 25 fans, but as people called each other to say, Mroy is playing brilliantly. You have to see this, the crowd quickly swelled to 50, then 100. By the time we reached the old 16th, it felt like a wave of people was surging towards us. There must have been around 1,000 spectators, and at that point, Stevie and I were just along for the ride. When Evan set his own record, he felt the pressure as he approached the 18th hole, needing a part to surpass the previous standard set by future three-time major champion and RDER Cup captain Podrick Harrington. In stark contrast, as the pressure mounted, Okalahan observed that Mroy thrived on the attention. The 36-year-old made headlines at Augusta this year for not engaging with his final round playing partner Bryson Dashambo. But Okalahan noted that Mroy displayed the same intense focus even back then. The more people that gathered, the more you could see his concentration intensify. He was truly in his element, he explained. It wasn’t about showing off. It was as if he was determined to entertain and put on a spectacular performance. He entered that zone or flow that people often talk about and you could probably throw an orange at his head and he wouldn’t flinch. If Evans thought Mroy looked like a tour player that day, Okalahan remembered him celebrating like one two. Five consecutive birdies to conclude his round thrilled the crowd, culminating in a spectacular putt on the 18th that punctuated this historic achievement. It was one of those moments reminiscent of watching Tiger Woods on TV. As soon as the putt left the club, you could see a heading straight for the hole. Rolling perfectly, he recounted. Rory had that look in his eyes. He knew he was going to sink it right from the start, and he was already raising his putter, ready to celebrate with a fist pump. It didn’t even touch the edges of the hole. It was electric. The following day, Mroy was interviewed by BBCNI and mentioned that it was the first competitive round of his life without a single bogey. In 2019, he recalled that he could still remember every shot from that day. From the 17th hole, Evans heard the roar of the crowd that signaled his record had been surpassed. With the course layout ensuring a symbolic passing of the torch, he had to walk past me, and I asked, “61?” He simply replied, “Yeah, Randy.” As if to say, “Why wouldn’t he shoot a 61 there?” Evans reflected. I shot 64 and that was after years of practice and a solid round of golf. Think of all the great golfers who have played at Portric and never managed to beat that score. Tens of thousands of rounds each year. Rory was just 16 years old and shot a 61 with ease. Whether it was cockiness or confidence, it was radiating from him. Of course, Mroy would later discover that golf can challenge even the most unshakable confidence. Despite his immense talent and achievements, Mroy resonates with fans partly due to the struggles he has faced alongside his remarkable successes. From the Sunday 80 when he led the Masters by four strokes in 2011 to conceding the US Open to Dshambo last year and the stalled major pursuits at St. Andrews and Los Angeles Country Club in between. There have been numerous occasions that could have hindered his familiar stride up the fairways, as if he had springs in his shoes. a quality O’ Calahan noticed even in Mroyy’s early days. These experiences have allowed one of the most extraordinarily gifted athletes of his generation to reveal his human side as well. Perhaps Mroy was at his most vulnerable after his late attempt to make the cut fell short when the open return to Royal Portrait in 2019. An eight on the opening hole of the championship set a negative tone and he was left fighting back tears after his second round score of 65 was enough to keep him in the tournament for the weekend. If he had dominated the course in 2005, Portric certainly fought back in 2019. What will happen as Mroy returns home this week in pursuit of his sixth major title. Rory is undoubtedly in a league of his own now, Evans remarked. Missing the cut last time was a huge surprise, but Rory is Rory. He’ll find a way to overcome that this time. I’m confident. Three. Harris English leads the pack. Open’s longest day recap. It wasn’t just a golf tournament. It was a 6-hour test of human endurance that unearthed some of the most incredible stories you’ll ever find at the top of a major championship leaderboard. While all eyes were glued to Rory Mroyy’s dramatic homecoming and the silent everpresent threat of Scotty Shuffler, a fascinating collection of characters quietly climbed to the summit after the open’s longest day. Their tales are as diverse and compelling as the challenges presented by the course itself. Take Harris English for instance, who found himself in a five-way tie for the lead. His journey to the top of the board began with a significant handicap. His regular caddy, Eric Larson, was barred from traveling from the United States due to a drug conviction from over 30 years ago. Just a day before the tournament, English could walk into a bustling Portish pub completely unnoticed. Now he stands just 54 holes away from potentially becoming the first player with a surname English to win the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992. Sharing that top spot is Christian Bazudenhout, whose backstory is nothing short of harrowing. As a toddler, he accidentally ingested rat poison, an event that left him with a stammer. Years later, at the 2014 Amateur Championship at this very same venue, Royal Portra, that childhood trauma resurfaced in a new way. But here’s where it gets controversial. Bazooh was using beta blockers prescribed to help manage the anxietyinduced stammer which resulted in a failed drug test. He received a 2-year ban that was later reduced to 9 months after officials acknowledged the unique medical circumstances. His presence at the top is a testament to incredible resilience. Then there’s Sadam Kaikenjana aiming to become the first formerly ordained monk to hoist the clar jug. This unique personal history led to a truly wonderful moment with the media. When a reporter asked the Thaier if he might return to a life dedicated to Buddhism, his response was priceless and perfectly encapsulated.
