Rory McIlroy Begins Early Preparation for Open Championship at Royal Portrush

Rory McIlroy has begun early preparations for The Open Championship at Royal Portrush, arriving shortly after his runner-up finish at the Scottish Open and teeing off for a solo practice round at 7 a.m., despite getting less than five hours of sleep. McIlroy, who won The Open in 2014, is seeking redemption after his disappointing missed cut at Portrush in 2019, where he started with an out-of-bounds shot and struggled to handle the pressure of playing his home major. This week, McIlroy has adopted a new approach by practicing before crowds and weather disruptions, aiming for focused preparation. The tournament features a strong field with notable pairings, including McIlroy with Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Thomas, and defending champion Xander Schauffele with Jon Rahm and JJ Spaun. McIlroy has enjoyed a strong 2025 season with three wins and seven top-10 finishes, and hopes to capitalize on his form and local support. The Open begins Thursday, with McIlroy set for a mid-afternoon tee time on day one.