Only one thing was on Rory McIlroy’s mind as he prepared for the final round of The 153rd Open – and it certainly wasn’t golf.
McIlroy will be looking to go low on Sunday at Royal Portrush and pile the pressure on runaway leader Scottie Scheffler.
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McIlroy and his caddie Diamond at PortrushCredit: Getty
Scheffler holds a four-shot lead over the field heading into the final round with McIlroy starting the day a further two strokes behind.
If McIlroy can go on a heater like he did on Saturday and force Scheffler into some early mistakes, we could be set up for a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Open Championship.
But you’d be forgiven for not knowing the stakes were that high based on McIlroy’s pre-round antics.
The chilled-out Northern Irishman wasn’t worried about swing thoughts or club selections as he headed to the range with his caddie Harry Diamond.
Instead, the only thing he could think about was his Saturday night entertainment – the blockbuster movie Oppenheimer.
McIlroy has revealed several times in the past that he enjoys focusing on a book or movie during major championship weeks to help distract himself from the matter at hand.
This week, he’s decided to watch Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic and he was overheard discussing the plot of the film with Diamond as he began his final round prep.
“Did you know that they dropped that Atomic Bomb on Japan…” McIlroy could be heard saying on the television broadcast as he followed his caddie to the practice facility.
McIlroy also discussed his plans to finish off the three-hour movie on Sunday morning.
“I started Oppenheimer last night and I’ll try to get through another hour of it tonight and maybe finish it tomorrow morning,” he said after his third round.
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McIlroy and Diamond have been a brilliant team again this weekCredit: Getty
“Apart from that, just keep my mind off of things. I always do better with distraction so if I can just distract myself and get my mind on something else that’s always a good plan for me.”
McIlroy shot 66 on Saturday to give himself a chance in the final round.
But Scheffler’s brilliance in Portrush this week has seen him firmly put one hand on the Claret Jug.
However, should the world number one slip up, McIlroy, spurred on by his adoring home fans in County Antrim, will hope to pounce.
“It was incredible, it was so much fun, I got off to the perfect start, three-under through four,” McIlroy added.
“To play those last seven holes at three-under I thought was a good effort. I played well, I rode my luck at times, but I feel like I’ve at least given myself half a chance tomorrow.
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Scheffler is leading The Open but McIlroy still has a chanceCredit: Getty
“But he’s playing like Scottie. I don’t think it’s a surprise. Everyone’s seen the way he’s played or plays over the last two or three years.
“He’s just so solid. He doesn’t make mistakes. He’s turned himself into a really consistent putter as well so there doesn’t seem to be any weakness there.
“Whenever you’re trying to chase down a guy like that, it’s hard to do. But he’s incredibly impressive.”