The Open news: Rory McIlroy misses cut as Tiger Woods addresses retirement rumours
It was a difficult first day at The Open for many of the big name stars as they struggled in the conditions at Royal Troon. Rory McIlroy’s hopes of bouncing back from US Open heartbreak already look over, after he carded a seven over par 79 to leave him facing an early exit.
A stunning birdie on the third proved a false dawn from Tiger Woods, who will tee off today at eight over. But on his tournament debut, the unknown Daniel Brown had a day to remember, finishing with the outright lead on six under par and one clear of Shane Lowry.
The weather is set to be kinder today, so see below for Express Sport‘s live updates from The Open…
That’s all we’ve got for today after a busy day at Royal Troon.
Join us again for more coverage from The Open. Until then, goodnight!
Robert MacIntyre admitted it was ‘carnage” and that his head was “completely gone” after playing two triple bogeys in his first four holes.
“That was carnage. When I made that eight on four, my head was completely gone.
“Then you’re standing on five going between a eight iron and a rescue, and you’re honestly trying to make bogeys instead of doubles and triples that I was making.
“I didn’t think I was going to make the weekend, but Mike said ‘look, fans are here to watch. Just give them what they want, a severe dig and fight’, and that’s what I done. I just tried my best and managed to turn it around.”
Rory McIlroy immediately lent his support to Shane Lowry at The Open despite his own personal disappointment.
McIlroy will be cheering on his Paris Olympics team-mate to win his second Claret Jug this weekend after missing the cut himself.
Still hurting from failing to win the US Open last month, despite a solid performance at the Scottish Open since then, McIlroy felt his game was in “really good shape” heading to Royal Troon.
Lowry currently leads by two shots on seven-under and McIlroy said: “I can’t wait to watch this weekend. He relishes these conditions. He gets more up for this than anything else. I’m looking forward to cheering him on and him hopefully getting his second Jug.”
McIlroy added of his own performance to Sky Sports Golf: “I’ve had 14 holes to deal with everything I’ve been feeling. After the eight on four I resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t be here for the weekend.”
Rory McIlroy’s ‘messy life’ contributed to his underwhelming performance at The Open, according to his former agent Andrew Chandler.
The Northern Irishman failed to make the cut as he finished on 11-over par at Royal Troon, having endured a torrid first day where he completed the 71-par course in 79 shots after making a mess of the Postage Stamp hole and recording a handful of double bogeys.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Chandler explained: “The top, top players obviously play better more often, and then the really top players take their chances. That’s all that’s happened with Rory. Rory’s played fantastically for 10 years, he just doesn’t take any chances.
“Looking from the outside, and I haven’t seen Rory for a couple of years, but to me, it looks like his life is messy.”
It’s more woe for Rory McIlroy after a disappointing day at Royal Troon.
To put it plainly, his round of 75 isn’t anywhere good enough to bring him above the cut. He finishes 11 over, putting him way down the leaderboard.
What that means is his wait for a fifth Major extends to 11 years following his collapse at the US Open. If there’s any consolation for him, it’s that DeChambeau didn’t fare much better.
Bryson DeChambeau has been a regular top-end contender at the Majors this year, going well at the Masters, finishing as runner-up at the USA PGA Championship.
Then, he celebrated a memorable US Open triumph at Pinehurst last month where he was far and away the best player at the tournament.
But for some reason, the 30-year-old hasn’t been able to put any momentum together at Royal Troon. He finishes up nine over on 75 – and that means he’s missed the cut.
The Scottish fans are delighted and rightly so, because Robert MacIntyre has made the cut.
Having found himself in the rough at 18, he makes it onto green and finishes on par with a simple tap-in, which triggers an almighty roar from the crowd.
He’s recovered from eight over at the first four holes to make the cut, and the pressure is on those below him now.
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4 days ago19:40 Joe Krishnan
McIlroy nails bunker shot
McIlroy isn’t giving up hope just yet.
The Northern Irishman scoops the ball from out of the bunker on the 14th to reduce the arrears to 12 over par.
4 days ago18:39 Joe Krishnan
Cut watch: Stenson and McIlroy in danger
The cut line has returned to five over par and several star golfers will be watching with some nerves at the scores coming in.
Justin Thomas has made it, despite a sloppy start.
But as it stands, Phil Mickelson (+5) would squeeze in but Robert MacIntyre and Bryson DeChambeau (both +7) are short of what they need to make the cut, as is Tommy Fleetwood (+8).
Henrik Stenson – who won at Troon the last time it hosted The Open – is currently eight over, while Rory McIlroy (+13) is in grave danger of missing the cut.
Justin Rose is finding form just at the right time.
The Englishman sinks his putt at the 18th from a long way out and bags himself a birdie.
Rose now five under at Royal Troon, putting him in contention for the lead. That means he is only two shots behind leader Shane Lowry and tied for second with Dan Brown.
The 43-year-old is given one of the biggest roars of the day by the fans, who were clearly impressed with that.
Those expecting to see some high quality golf today will be left disappointed if they’re following Ludvig Aberg.
The Swede has just punched in another bogey to continue his disastrous round, while Tom Kim visits three bunkers on Hole 8, known as the Postage Stamp, before ending up with a double bogey five.
As for Bryson DeChambeau, he is still outside the cut line after missing a short putt to take a birdie.
Japan’s Aguri Iwasaki is having a stinker of a second round at Royal Troon.
The 26-year-old is currently +17 through 14 hours and is +20 overall.
It’s fair to say he won’t be making the cut…
Research by Mastercard has found that South Ayrshire is set for a huge spending boost as 250,000 fans descend on The Open at Royal Troon.
According to a recent Mastercard survey of over 16,000 consumers1, European and international visitors alike are set to prioritise spend on experiences, with almost 9 in 10 people (88%) saying they plan to spend the same, or more, on experiences in 2024, compared to 2023.
Over 4 in 10 (41%) said that how ‘one of a kind’ an experience is would be a determining factor in whether to spend on an experience, highlighting their ambition to make lifelong memories.
Natalia Lechmanova, Chief Economist Europe at Mastercard Economics Institute, says: “In recent years, The Open tournament has significantly boosted the economies of its host areas, benefiting local businesses beyond the host courses. Our analysis shows that cultural and sporting events like The Open have the potential to bolster local economies and increase tourism-related spending across hotels and restaurants. We’ve seen strong demand from consumers for meaningful, live events as the experience economy across Europe continues to thrive.”
A massive cheer on the 18th green as Shane Lowry sinks a birdie putt! Now seven under par, leading Dan Brown by two, and Scottie Scheffler two further back.
And Grosvenor Sport now have the Irishman odds-on for victory.
Grosvenor Sport odds on Open Championship winner: Shane Lowry 9/4; Scottie Scheffler 6/1; Xander Schauffele 8/1; Patrick Cantlay 11/1; Alexander Noren, Justin Thomas 16/1 Corey Conners 22/1; Billy Horschel 25/1; Adam Scott, Brooks Koepka 33/1.
Shane Lowry now leads by one on six under par, but Tiger Woods is done this week after a 77 left him 14 over.
He told reporters: “I’m physically feeling better than I did at the beginning of the year. At the end of last year, it was tough, and I haven’t played a lot. As the year has gone on, I have got better.
“I just wish I could have played more, but I’ve been saving it for the majors just in case I do something pretty major and then take myself out of it. Hopefully next year will be better.
“I need to do a lot more work in the gym and keep progressing.”
Retirement? He’s going nowhere is he.
Shane Lowry launched into a furious tirade as he struggled to a double bogey on the 11th.
Having pulled his second shot into gorse, Lowry took his anger out on a nearby cameraman as he exploded into a foul-mouthed tirade, saying: “As I was over the ball, I could just see you with the f*****g camera up! Just get out of the way. Just get back there. F**k sake.”
European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald has been a keen spectator at Royal Troon so far, and has made some interesting comments over LIV Golf players Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
“My role isn’t to do with the politics of what’s going on in golf right now, my role is to try and get the best 12 guys ready for New York,” he told Express Sport. “I hope I can have the biggest berth of players possible.
“I’m certainly listening to both sides but it’s not something I really have control over. I know discussions are going on, I know the tour want it to happen, and Jon and Tyrrell I think want it to happen. I’m not privy to the ins and outs but hopefully things will work out.”
That’s The Open. It changes quickly.
A nightmare 11th for Shane Lowry and a double bogey.
Back to five over and level with co-leader Dan Brown.
5
It’s still all to play for today and indeed the weekend, but it’s Shane Lowry who leads the way. How many times will ‘Royal Portrush’ be mentioned tonight if it stays like this.
1: Shane Lowry -7 (through 10); 2: Dan Brown -5 (5); 3: Alex Noren -3 (3); Justin Thomas -3 (yet to start).
Patrick Cantlay has birdied on the 11th ans is now four under for his round today, and two under overall.
But it’s Shane Lowry who is now two clear on seven under as wind speeds reach 30mph.
Hold on to your hats. Literally…
Tyrrell Hatton criticised the setup of Royal Troon course following his two-over-par 73 at The Open Championship on Thursday.
“There’s a few holes that are just obviously playing really long,” he said post-round. “Unfortunately, that’s where it’s going at the moment, where they just seem to try to make it longer to make it harder, which I think doesn’t make it the most enjoyable test.”
He added: “They didn’t put any tees forward. You can’t reach any of the par fives on the front nine.”
All happening out there. Having breifly taken the ouright lead, Shane Lowry is back to six under after bogeying the fifth. Dan Brown meanwhile, is safely down for par on the first.
And finally some respite for Tiger! A birdie on the sixth takes him back to, well, 10 over.
5
Swedish golfer Alexander Björk has stuck up for Rory McIlroy’s under-fire caddie Harry Diamond.
“His caddie gets a lot of s*** he doesn’t deserve,” he told Sports on TV. “If you look at Rory’s scoring, tournament positions and rankings over the years, he’s always up there in the top three. I don’t get why people think his caddie is doing a bad job, he’s doing a great job.
“It’s easy to say the caddie made the wrong decision for Rory afterwards. If Rory feels more happy to have his friend on the bag then he should have his friend on the bag.”
Shane Lowry meant business yesterday, and he’s started on fire today too.
A sublime approach shot and a birdie on the first. He’s now six under par and level with overnight leader Dan Brown.
Tiger Woods hammers one straight down the middle of the fairway on the first.
He won’t be giving up yet….
The wind is due to pick up later on, so players will be keen to get out there quickly.
Here’s the lowdown on some of the star names heading out pre-lunch.
9:14: Brooks Koepka; 9:25: Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Tiger Woods; 9:36: Collin Morikawa; 9:47: Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry; 9:58: Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Cameron Young; 11:04: Daniel Brown.
Tiger Woods was backed by the crowd at Royal Troon yesterday following his spat with Colin Montgomerie.
“Prove Monty wrong!” was shouted at the first tee as the golf legend Tiger Woods embarked on his first round. But he is up against it today if he’s to be here at the weekend.
German Marcel Siem is making the most of the calm early conditions!
He’s birdied four of the first six holes and is now two under par.
Billy Horschel has joined him after starting with two straight birdies.
Rory McIlroy ranted at his own erratic play after his seven over par 79 included a double bogey at the famous Postage Stamp hole.
“All I need to focus on is trying to make the cut,” he admitted. “Conditions were tough on that back nine and I just didn’t do a good enough job.
“I did ok for the first part, then missed the green at the Postage Stamp and made a double. Then hitting out of bounds on 11, making a double there. I was surprised just how difficult the back nine played.”
Open organisers clearly aren’t expecting any miracle fightbacks from Tiger Woods today. The all-time great, playing with Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay, has been dropped from the ‘featured groups’ coverage for day two.
Weclome back to our live coverage from The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
Round two is already underway, with fairytale leader Dan Brown set to tee off at 11.04am. Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler will be two of the first big names out at 9.25am.
