Rory McIlroy has opened up about one of the lowest moments of his career, recalling the disastrous opening round he endured at the 2019 Open Championship in Portrush — a tournament that was meant to be a triumphant homecoming.
The Northern Irishman, who will return to Royal Portrush for the 2025 edition of The Open, reflected on the emotional and mental toll of that first round, where he carded an 8-over-par 79, including a quadruple bogey on the first hole. That nightmare start effectively ended his chances of contending and led to one of the most crushing missed cuts of his career.
“I try to forget that part,” McIlroy said during his pre-tournament press conference. “That Thursday is probably one of the toughest days I’ve ever had on a golf course. I came in with so many expectations, so much pressure — most of it from myself.”
McIlroy had arrived at Portrush in 2019 as one of the favourites and a national hero, with hopes of winning The Open in front of a home crowd. But the weight of the moment appeared to overwhelm him early, and despite a spirited fightback on Friday, the damage was already done.
“I remember walking off the first green and thinking, ‘This can’t be happening.’ I just never got into a rhythm, and when you’re trying that hard in front of your home fans, sometimes it just gets worse,” McIlroy admitted.
Though the pain of that experience lingers, McIlroy said it taught him a great deal about resilience, maturity, and dealing with expectations.
Now, six years later, he returns to the same course with a renewed mindset and the opportunity to write a different chapter.
“I’m a different player now. I’ve grown a lot since then, and while I’ll never completely forget 2019, I’ve learned how to handle those moments better. I’m excited for the chance to come back and do it right.”
McIlroy will begin his 2025 Open campaign this Thursday at a course that holds deep emotional significance — both as a place of pain and now, potentially, redemption.
