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Rory McIlroy spent 15 minutes signing autographs for fans after his practice round on Monday.
Rory McIlroy’s early start proved to be an inspired decision as afternoon starters like Justin Thomas (inset) were left frustrated by weather stoppages.
Shane Lowry on Monday
Rory signs an Ulster Banner that featured all four major championship logos – choosing to sign The Open corner.
Rory McIlroy made this fan’s day early on Monday morning
Rory McIlroy on the course on Monday morning. (Getty Images)
Phil Mickelson is set to tee off in the first group on Tuesday morning.
Gareth Hanna and Adam McKendry
Today at 08:25
For the second day in a row at Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy has stolen a march on the crowds by sneaking out for a 7am practice round in preparation for The Open Championship, this time accompanied by fellow Northern Irishmen Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke.
The trio are getting their second look at the course after McIlroy did the same on Monday morning having raced over from Scotland, before addressing the media in the afternoon, talking about how he has learned from his approach to 2019.
Rory McIlroy spent 15 minutes signing autographs for fans after his practice round on Monday.
The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019?
Shane Lowry, the winner here in 2019, was also in front of the media on Monday reliving his incredible Claret Jug win, as well as reacting to the mural in Portrush bearing his likeness.
Tuesday is set to be another busy day in the interview room as World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, defending champion Xander Schauffele, two-time Irish Open champion Jon Rahm and former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are all due to speak ahead of the tournament.
After thunderstorms halted play twice on Monday, including bringing the action to a premature close at 6pm, the hope is that won’t be the case again on day three, however the forecast suggests that we are in for another wet day on the Dunluce Links.
Tuesday’s practice tee sheet features the likes of Phil Mickelson (7.12am), Justin Thomas (7.36am), Scheffler (9am), Patrick Reed (10.24am), Tony Finau, (11.12am), Padraig Harrington (11.12am), Brooks Koepka (11.36am), Robert MacIntyre (11.48am), Collin Morikawa (12.48pm), Sergio Garcia and Rahm (both 1.24pm), Tommy Fleetwood (2.12pm) and Lee Westwood (2.24pm).
Follow along with all the week’s action right here on our live blog:
Key updates
Notable practice tee times on Tuesday
Shane Lowry on his Portrush mural, 2019 and McIlroy’s disastrous tee-shot
What Rory had to say in his press conference
The Open 2025: Odds as Scheffler and McIlroy the obvious favourites
Faxon putting drill
Rory’s putting coach Brad is showing how it’s done as they practice to a hole location right up at the narrow back of the green on the 10th. That would give this hole an extra 30 yards on that second shot.
On to the back
Rory has gone on to the back nine with the other two so looks like he will be playing all 18, if you’re just arriving and want to come and see him playing.
The 10th hole is a dog leg right. The three guys all launched perfect drives up to the corner which leaves only a short pitch up to a staged green. It’s not ringed with fans and the feeling is still light hearted amongst the group with plenty of laughing and joking.
Rory tells another fan that he’ll only do signings once he finishes.
Get in the hole!
Rory has absolutely stitched one on the ninth. But nobody shouted that. Cus we’re not in America.
New holes completeThe par four 8th was made to look easier than it really is by these three. But the conditions are perfect now with no wind worth talking about, no rain.
And the crowds are finally starting to gather as people arrive and wore spreads that these three are out here.
Who’s this McKibbin guy?
For the non-golf-enthusiasts among you, you probably know who Rory is, and you probably know who Clarke is – them being major champions and all.
But you might not be as familiar with Tom McKibbin. He’s a 22-year-old star in the making, who also comes from Rory’s Holywood GC.
I’ve never seen him play in the flesh before but I’ll tell you, on this showing, he is IMPRESSIVE. He has a tall, slim build and a big, looping, easy swing that is just poetry in motion. He also bombs it an absolute MILE. Worth a watch this week, to say the least. A lovely, lovely swing to watch.
He joined LIV Golf last year so casual observers won’t get to see him play very often. Take the chance this week.
Same again on Thursday?
Rory has a very makeable eagle putt here after that great drive and ‘hot’ second. I wonder can he do a ‘hot’ one again on Thursday? There’d be a bit more buzz in the crowd then if he hits that shot.
The BIG bunker
On to the par five 7th, one of the ‘new’ holes on the course, with the huge bunker on the right side. Clarke’s drive plunged in there but no such bother for the other two who are in perfect position to play up the hill to the green.
Rory gets on in two with a shot that he says ‘came out hot’ while McKibbin is just short.
How many holes is Rory playing?
Word is that he is intending to play all 18, although with Rory it’s hard to know. He could disappear to do some more private practice at some stage. The advice on practice days is always if you want to see him, get there sooner rather than later.
Talking headsWe have five more press conferences today – here’s who’s facing the media and when.
9am: Robert MacIntyre
10am: Jon Rahm
11am: Scottie Scheffler
2:30pm: Bryson DeChambeau
3pm: Xander Schauffele
Back to the drawing board
Tom and Darren were in A1 position, left side of the fairway maybe 30 yards short of the green on the fifth but Rory’s drives were just too long and plunged into the rough left and right of the green. He even lost the ball on the left side. Don’t want that on Thursday.
‘My driver doesn’t sound like that’
It’s hard to disagree with the fan watching on as Rory cracks two drivers down the picturesque fifth hole with its sweeping fairway looking over to the Skerries. Hard to see from here how the trio ended up, as anyone who has played here will remember. They’ll not be far away from the green anyway.
Tee times coming up
We already know Padraig Harrington will hit the first tee shot of the tournament at 6.35am on Thursday, and we will find out the rest of the draw at 2pm this afternoon. We are anticipating Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will be kept on opposite sides but then the R&A do like to throw a surprise in there every so often!
A meeting of minds
Coaches Bannon and Faxon have strolled thee whole way up this fourth hole behind the group, deep in discussion. It could just be about the weather to be fair. Which is absolutely perfect. Mild with only a touch of breeze. If it stays like this all week…… well it won’t, so…
Fourth playing long
The par four fourth is playing its distance today with Darren and Rory both coming up short with two well struck, drawn irons. McKibbin had a bit of extra distance off the tee and was able to scamper an approach round the putting surface.
Early bird catches the worm
Gareth Hanna is on the course with the trio. Interesting to see Rory utilising Faxon after seemingly struggling to get to grips with the speed of the greens yesterday morning.
Rory can you sign my cap?A young fan makes his pitch as Rory strolls off the tee with Clarke. He gives a nod and says “I’ll sign after the round.”
Fair enough really, or else he’d get nowhere.
Who else is with them?
Rory’s coach Michael Bannon is there again, as is his putting coach Brad Faxon.
The mood feels lighthearted between the three. “Hit a sprinkler,” says Darren after his tee shot at the par 3 third.
NI trio out early
Rory McIlroy, Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke have stolen a march on the galleries this morning, heading out before the gates open at 7am. They’re currently on the second green getting used to the slopes around the putting surface, watched by only around 50-60 fans.
Family fun!
Thanks to Peter McKeown for sending in this picture of his children and their friends having a great time at The Open on Monday, spending some time in the Spectator Village!
Will Rory and Shane play on Tuesday?
You may notice neither of the Irish players are down to be on the course tomorrow – but bear in mind that late last night, Rory wasn’t there either. Come 7am this morning and he was out there! They tend to keep it quiet, as Rory openly admitted at his press conference. So keep an eye out, and we’ll be back here bright and early in the morning to keep you posted with what’s going on.