“He’s an incredible player. He’s been dominant for the last years, is the bar that we’re trying to..

Rory McIlroy speaks to the media following his last round at The Open Championship

Rory, Scotty, unstoppable today. Um, can you just give us your reflections on that and and your week here? Yeah. Um, yeah, I you know, none of us could hang with Scotty this week. He’s he’s an incredible player. Um, you know, he’s been dominant this week, but honestly, he’s been dominant for the last couple of years. He’s, you know, he is the bar that we’re all trying to to get to. And um you know in a historical context you could argue that there’s only maybe two or three players in the history of the game that have um been on a run that that you know that the one that Scotty’s been on here for the last sort of 24 to 36 months. So uh incredibly impressive. Um yeah you know it’s he’s he’s a very worthy winner and uh but also he’s a he’s a he’s a great person and and I think he’s a wonderful ambassador for our game as well. So, um, I’m I’m really happy for him and Meredith and his family. How special a homecoming as the Grand Slam champion has this been for you? The crowds sensational this week, and I’m sure it was quite an emotional experience being part of this. Yeah. Um, you know, I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last air and and that reception. Um, yeah, look, it’s been it’s been an awesome week. you know, I’ve I’ve gotten everything I wanted out of this week, apart from a clar jug. Um, and you know, that’s just because one person was just a little bit better than than the rest of us. But, um, it’s it’s been an amazing week. You know, just the you know, I just I feel so so thankful um and just so lucky that I get to do this. I get to do this in front of this crowd. Um, you know, hopefully I’ll have one or two one or two opens left here. Um, if the RNA decide to keep coming back, probably one while I’m still competitive and one while I’m more gray than I already am. Um, but it’s just it’s been incredible to come back here and and to play and, you know, at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. So, yeah, just an awesome week. Both both events here opened at Port Rush have been amazing sporting occasions. How hopeful are you that they can come back here very quickly? Yeah, I mean I honestly I think Port Rush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three three venues that the Open goes to. So, um I mean talk to every player this week and they won’t say one single bad thing about the golf course. Um, and then I just think the just the way it sets up, it’s it’s um, from a logistical standpoint, I think the the RNA have worked so good with the the local government to to make sure everything runs smoothly. And yeah, I yeah, I hope so. I mean, it’s it’s only been six years since 2019. Um, I’m not sure Port is going to have the open every six years. Um, that would be nice, but um, I would obviously love it to to keep coming back. Have you ever tried so hard to just stay in in the game when things weren’t going great this week and ending up at tied seventh, but having a chance all the way right up to the back nine on on Sunday? Yeah. Um yeah, I I you know I I feel like I try my hardest every time I play. So you know you know I’m not going to try even harder here. If anything, that’s probably to my detriment. But um I felt like I did well. I um 8 n and 10 today were the ones that killed me. Not that like I was I was never going to get to 17 under I don’t think so. Um I could have you know I could have maybe finished second which you know would have been better than than where I did finish but um you know only making par off those T- shots on on eight and nine and then the double on 10 after the flyer. Um that sort of you know that did me in and and then I just tried to to play um you know a good back nine and and you know finish as well as I could. Are you sharp again, Rory? Like really sharp again as we saw at the start of the year with the three wins. Do you feel that coming back? Yeah, I do. Um but I also had the three wins when Scotty wasn’t quite on his game. So, um yeah, he’s you know, but I do I feel I feel good. I I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset. Um yeah, I I I feel like I’m I’m getting back to where to where I want to be. And um you know, we’ve still got a lot of a lot of golf left this year. um you know with obviously RDER Cup being the the big one in there um in September and just make sure I’m you know I don’t want to play too much leading up to that because you know I want to be fresh. Um so I’m I’m looking forward to a few weeks off here and um and you know I’ll I’ll you know reflect on what’s been already a good year and and you know start to to get myself ready for for that run up to the REDR Cup. one of the few players in in history to accomplish the slam, but I’m just curious, what are your feelings watching Scotty go on a on a run like he has over the past couple years? I mean, admiration. Um, I think all you can do is admire what what he does. Um, and how he does it. I think what he does is one thing, but but how he does it is um is another. and you know, he just goes about his business, doesn’t do anything um overly flamboyant, but he just he’s, you know, he’s the best the best at executing in the game right now. And um yeah, he’s uh he’s he’s been absolutely amazing over these past two to three years. And as I said, all you can do is tip your cap and and and watch in admiration. From a personal perspective, is it motivating or perhaps dispiriting to see Scotty when he in form like this cuz he’s been untouched four times this week? Neither. Um, all I can do is focus on myself and and try to play the best golf that I can and I know that when I do that, um, you know, I’ll have my weeks where I’ll where I’ll, you know, contend and hopefully win. So much. Thank you.