Rory McIlroy expressed his frustration after being put on the clock for slow play during the first round of the 2025 Irish Open. The golf star argued that officials lacked common sense, considering the large crowd following his high-profile group. Despite the pressure, McIlroy finished with a one-under 71, five shots off the lead held by Nacho Elvira, Thornbjorn Olesen, and Romain Langasque. Watch as we break down the controversy, McIlroy’s reaction, and the ongoing debate over slow play in golf. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more golf updates!
Keywords: Rory McIlroy, Irish Open, slow play, golf controversy, 2025 Irish Open, Nacho Elvira, Thornbjorn Olesen, Romain Langasque, golf highlights, PGA Tour, DP World Tour
In a dramatic turn of events at the 2025 Amjen Irish Open, Rory Mroy found himself in a heated debate with officials over slow play, narrowly avoiding an outburst that could have cost him dearly. The Telegraph’s Jaime Corrian captured the tension on the green, revealing Mroyy’s struggle to maintain composure amidst the chaos. “I felt a little rushed out there for the last 12 holes,” Mroy confessed to reporters. We were put on the clock early on and despite the first official stepping away, we were still expected to make up time in the final three holes. This pressure led to Mroy bogeying two of his last three holes, settling for a one under 71 at the K Club in Strathen, Ireland. He trailed five shots behind the trio leading the pack. But here’s where it gets controversial. Mroy argued that common sense was conspicuously absent from the officials decision-making process. With the majority of the estimated 20,000 strong crowd following his group alongside Tristan Lawrence and Christopher Raon, Mroy felt that special considerations should have been made. It’s hard not to feel rushed when you’re playing tough holes and dealing with all the attention. He explained, “Our group faces more distractions than any other on the course, so it’s understandable that we lose time, and this is the part most people miss.” Mroy believes that his high-profile status often leads to unfair treatment with his group frequently being put on the clock due to the sheer volume of spectators and media presence. “I don’t think they use common sense,” he lamented. They don’t account for the delays caused by crowds and the two camera crews out there. Corrian echoed Mroyy’s sentiments, calling out the officials for their lack of judgment in a scathing social media post. It’s ridiculous that they put him on the stopwatch. He wrote, “While the rest of the field enjoyed relative peace, Mroyy’s group faced a circus. They should have made allowances for the circumstances. When asked for a solution to slow play in January, Mroy admitted there’s no simple answer. This isn’t a new issue, he acknowledged. Golf has struggled with slow play for years, even when it was considered a beloved sport. There are many proposed fixes, but none will please everyone. Despite the controversy, three players managed to shine, sharing the first round lead with a score of 66. Nacho Elvver, a 38-year-old Spaniard, birdied four of the last five holes for a bogey-free 6 under 66. Thornbornne Olison, a Dne, birdied his final two holes, while Frenchman Roma Langask birdied the last. The leaders were one stroke ahead of Daniel Brown and Burned Wisberger with Ireland’s Shane Lowry shooting a respectable 69. I probably played the best golf I’ve seen in the past 2 to 3 months, reflected Alvivera, a two-time winner on the DP World Tour. But the question remains, should officials consider the unique challenges faced by high-profile groups? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Are Moyy’s frustrations justified, or should golfers adapt to the pressures of fame and crowds?
