Just 12 hours after finishing runner-up at the Scottish Open to relative PGA Tour newcomer Chris Gotterup, Rory McIlroy took to the first tee at Royal Portrush for his first practice round ahead of the Open Championship.

The tournament takes place in his native Northern Ireland at a course where 16-year-old McIlroy set the course record.

“The fact that I’m here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream, I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way and enjoy the reaction of the fans and enjoy being in front of them and playing in front of them,” the star golfer said. “But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I’m very capable of doing that.”

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Ahead of the year’s final major tournament, McIlroy took a well-deserved rest as he, wife Erica and daughter Poppy enjoyed some time on their new home.

“We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and have been trying to settle in. It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you,” he revealed ahead of the Scottish Open. “Sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while. Yeah, it’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year. Obviously we have this week in Scotland and then a massive week next week in Portrush.”

After capping off the career grand slam with his win at the Masters in April, he admitted his mindset changed.

“Yeah, you know, it’s my first realistic chance to win after the Masters, and I’ve had a great season. I won at Pebble. I won [the Players Championship]. I said this, when you do something that you’ve been dreaming your whole life to do, it was a huge moment in my life, my career,” he revealed before the final round of the Scottish Open. “The I think I just needed that little bit of time. And to be back here for last couple weeks, and feel like I could actually digest all of it, I feel like I came to this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year.”

The last time the Open Championship was played at Royal Portrush, McIlroy failed to make the cut after firing an 8-over, 79 in the first round despite an impressive 6-under, 65 in the second round as he missed the weekend by one shot.

Irishman Shane Lowry won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush by six shots over Tommy Fleetwood.

Rory McIlroy will be heading into the Open Championship this week hoping to put right his 2019 disaster at Royal Portush.

It’s the first time he’s returning to the iconic Northern Ireland course since collapsing under the home-love pressure, and ultimately failed to make the cut.

On the very first hole six years ago, he slumped to a dreaded quadruple-bogey, and was eventually left holding back tears after his second round exit. He said earlier this week: “The walk to the first tee and then that ovation, I was a little surprised and a little taken aback, like ‘Geez, these people really want me to win’.

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“I think that brought its own sort of pressure and more internally from myself, not really wanting to let people down. It’s just something I didn’t mentally prepare for that day or that week.”

McIlroy will be leaning on his wife Erica Stoll for her continued support heading into The Open this week, in a bid to overcome his demons. The family recently moved to a new leafy Surrey estate, and have reportedly spent about £9million renovating their new home.

Erica reportedly favours milder temperatures over the sweltering heat of their former US base. The New Yorker and her Northern Irish husband were previously residing in Jupiter, Florida with their daughter Poppy, but are now ready to make the move across the pond.

Earlier in 2024, McIlroy initiated divorce proceedings, though the couple later reconciled within the same year. “Straight after Augusta we travelled over to see the house as it was going through the finishing touches,” McIlroy revealed to The Telegraph. “It was fun to see and we could have stayed in it, but we wanted to get over to [McIlroy’s hometown] Holywood.”

Fellow professional golfer Martin Kaymer recounted an amusing exchange about Stoll’s feelings towards the climate during his Netflix Full Swing appearance. “I saw her [Stoll] at a Starbucks once, and she said, ‘I really don’t like the sun.’ I said, ‘Your state’s called the Sunshine State, right?'” he recalled.

Nevertheless, it was a different Netflix programme that became the focal point during a private moment preceding McIlroy’s Masters triumph. The 36-year-old secured a career Grand Slam at Augusta, defeating Justin Rose in a play-off to claim the coveted green jacket.

Rory McIlroy, the golfing sensation, finally ended his major drought with a stunning Masters victory, and he’s revealed an unusual preparation method. Chatting with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, McIlroy shared that he unwound before his big win by indulging in the period drama ‘Bridgerton’ alongside his wife.

“The week of the Masters, for me, I’m just trying to distract myself with doing anything,” the champion golfer confessed. “I’m trying not to watch coverage of the tournament, I’m trying not to watch anything about the golf.”

McIlroy explained his strategy to avoid sports news altogether, opting instead for books, shows, or films. “You try to just not look at the sports news. So, like, read a book, watch a show, watch a movie. So, I was watching ‘Bridgerton’ with my wife, which was her decision, but I actually got into it… It was good.”

In other news, it seems McIlroy’s move to Surrey had been on the cards for some time. J. Spaun, who McIlroy outplayed at the Players Championship, accidentally revealed Rory’s UK plans during a chat on the Fore Play podcast.

“I know he’s Northern Irish, but I asked him if he ever hangs out in London,” Spaun recounted. “Because my wife has got a really good friend that lives out there and loves going there. He said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m building a house out there.'”.

Rory McIlroy displayed a welcome return to form during the opening rounds of the Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in East Lothian after admitting his struggles in recent times.

The world number two appeared rejuvenated on the course, playing with a renewed smile that had been notably absent in recent months.

Rory McIlroy has disclosed that spending quality time with his wife Erica Stoll in their fresh residence has reignited his competitive fire.

Back in April, the Northern Irish golfer finally secured his fifth major championship and achieved the career Grand Slam by claiming victory at the Masters. The triumph represented a moment of release for Rory, who had endured an 11-year drought without capturing a major title.

Yet his performance rapidly declined in the subsequent months following his breakthrough win. He managed only a tied 47th placement at the PGA Championship and concluded the US Open in 19th position.

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During his competition schedule, construction was underway on a new Wentworth property where McIlroy and his family would relocate. Settling into his fresh residence has not only lifted his spirits but also helped him rediscover the drive and determination that propelled him to Masters glory.

Speaking to reporters at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick before the Genesis Scottish Open, McIlroy shared, “We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and have been trying to settle in. It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you.

“Sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while. Yeah, it’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year. Obviously we have this week in Scotland and then a massive week next week [for the Open] in Portrush.”

Rory would later confess that he had lost some of his drive after achieving the Grand Slam. During his time at the US Open, he even acknowledged that he wouldn’t be overly concerned if he missed the cut.

But after spending quality time with Justin Rose – the golfer he edged out for the Masters title in that dramatic sudden-death playoff – McIlroy recognized he needed to return to the UK to rediscover his passion for the game, reports the Mirror. He explained, “There’s a detachment from the sort of week-in, week-out grind when you get back over here and Justin and I were talking about that.

“You play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year and you need to completely get away from it. This world of golf can become all-encompassing. In this last fortnight, I felt like I could detach and sort of hide in a way. I needed that. My game needed that.”

It’s been just over a year since McIlroy and Stoll announced they had both reversed their decision to divorce. In May 2024, just days before the PGA Championship, the Holywood native filed for divorce from his American wife.

A month afterward, they worked through their issues and chose to stay together rather than separate. The couple has now settled into their new home on the exclusive Wentworth Estate, which has previously housed notable residents including Prince Andrew, former King of Thailand Prajadhipok and, notably, former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

It’s believed that McIlroy scooped up the estate in 2023, investing approximately £9 million ($12 million) to transform it into a family home. Planning documents describe the property as a: “Large, detached dwelling sited centrally within a substantive plot.”

Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, weathered a highly publicized divorce drama last year when McIlroy filed for divorce the day after Mother’s Day, only to dismiss the petition less than a month later amid rumors of marriage troubles.

But today, one year on, that chapter is firmly closed. Erica is once again at McIlroy’s side, supporting the 36‑year‑old at golf’s biggest stages. She was there when Rory completed the Career Grand Slam with his Masters victory in April and, next week, she’ll join the gallery at Royal Portrush for The Open Championship.

This visible show of unity underscores that their “divorce drama” is truly history.

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In a further sign of renewed commitment, McIlroy and Erica have purchased a new home together near Wentworth in the U.K., an opulent estate situated on land acquired in 2023, which Rory describes as their family base for the season. He further invested approximately $12 million in renovation.

The couple plans to settle there after the U.S. Open concludes on June 15, balancing their transatlantic lives between Florida and Northern Ireland.

On the course, McIlroy struggled with form and motivation in the weeks following his Masters triumph, admitting to a motivational slump and equipment controversies, but two weeks away with Erica proved transformative.

Back at the Scottish Open, he rediscovered his knack for scoring, finishing tied second with a score of 13-under par, putting on display the kind of precision and composure that once made him world No. 1.

“You play PGA Tour golf for the first 25, 30 weeks of the year and you need to completely get away from it.” McIlroy expressed regarding the break. “This world of golf can become all‑encompassing. In this last fortnight, I felt like I could detach and sort of hide in a way. I needed that. My game needed that.”

Erica Stoll made a statement without saying a word at last year’s Scottish Open, her presence signaling a strong character just weeks after she and Rory McIlroy reversed their decision to divorce.

The celebrated PGA Tour pro and his spouse stunned the golf community when they announced their intention to divorce last May. The couple tied the knot in April 2017, exchanging vows at the grand Ashford Castle in Ireland, following a whirlwind three-year romance.

Their marriage, however, teetered on uncertainty just before the 2024 PGA Championship, as divorce filings hit the headlines, portraying the union as “broken” after seven years. Yet, within a month, McIlroy and Stoll backtracked on their separation, with McIlroy confirming ahead of the U.S. Open that they would stay together.

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Speaking to The Guardian, he said: “There have been rumors about my personal life recently, which is unfortunate. Responding to each rumor is a fool’s game.

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

A month later, Stoll was back on the golf course, supporting her husband as he aimed to defend his Scottish Open title at the Renaissance Club. Despite the intense scrutiny of their relationship by the global media, she showed remarkable resilience with her appearance, reports the Mirror US.

She was spotted following her husband around the North Berwick course, attentively watching his every move. McIlroy was also seen once again wearing his wedding ring, which he had removed in June when they announced their divorce plans.

Although he started strong at the Scottish Open, he ultimately tied for fourth place with Aaron Rai, Collin Morikawa, and Ludvig Aberg, finishing at 14-under-par. The tournament’s top spot went to Scottish hero Robert MacIntyre, who ended Sunday’s play with an overall score of 18-under.

It’s been over a year since Stoll and McIlroy decided to reconcile and remain a couple, and the 37-year-old American has been spotted alongside her husband at numerous tournaments. Stoll was a significant presence during McIlroy’s Masters win in April, where she was photographed smiling and embracing him as they strolled along Augusta National’s greens and fairways.

She was also one of the first to congratulate him after his historic win at the tournament, where he joined the ranks of the elite few who have completed the Career Grand Slam. A tearful McIlroy was seen approaching his wife just off the 18th green, where they shared a heartfelt embrace. Shortly after, McIlroy hugged their young daughter, Poppy, in a tender moment.

In his victory speech, upon receiving the prestigious Green Jacket, McIlroy once again acknowledged his family for their unwavering support throughout the tournament’s ups and downs. He said: “And last but certainly not least, over to my left, my family, my team.

“They’ve been on this journey with me the whole way through. They know the burden that I’ve carried to come here every year and try, and try, and try again, and the one thing I would say to my daughter Poppy that is sitting over there, never give up on your dreams. Never ever give up on your dreams.

“Keep coming back, keep working hard, and if you put your mind to it you can do anything. I love you.”

After a difficult, contentious weekend at the 2025 U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy was ready to get out of Pennsylvania.

McIlroy, 36, finished in a tie for 19th place at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday, June 15, eight shots behind the eventual winner, J.J. Spaun.

The tournament saw McIlroy lash out in anger on Friday, June 13, smashing a tee marker with his club out of frustration. Earlier in the day on Friday, McIlroy was also seen throwing his club down the fairway after hitting a poor approach shot.

READ: Rory McIlroy provides update on Erica Stoll relationship after couple made big change

When all was said and done, McIlroy admitted he was looking forward to putting it all behind him.

“It’s always nice to get home,’’ he told reporters after his final round on Sunday. “I feel like I live two different lives. I’m a dad and a husband when I’m away from here, and then I’m who I am when I’m here. It’s always nice to get away and feel a bit of normality.’’

McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, and the couple’s 4-year-old daughter, Poppy, did not make the trip to Oakmont to watch the U.S. Open in person.

The golfer filed for divorce from Stoll after seven years of marriage in May 2024 before calling it off the following month.

McIlroy and Stoll are currently in the midst of building a new home in the UK, as McIlroy prepares for a busy summer golf schedule.

“We’ve got a lot to look forward to, got our new house in London, [playing] the Scottish [Open] and then obviously The Open [Championship] at Portrush,’’ he said. “Just trying to get myself in the right frame of mind to approach that.’’

The Open Championship, the final major on the 2025 PGA Tour schedule, will take place from July 17th to the 20th at Royal Portrush Golf Club in northern Ireland, roughly 60 miles from McIlroy’s hometown of Holywood, Ireland.

McIlroy will play in the Travelers Championship in Connecticut this weekend before the Genesis Scottish Open begins on July 10 at the Renaissance Club in North Burwick, Scotland.

When asked about his visible frustration on the course during the U.S. Open, McIlroy tossed it back into the face of the assembled media.

“It’s more a frustration with you guys,” McIlroy said on Saturday.

McIlroy’s relationship with reporters has grown increasingly antagonizing in recent months, with McIlroy routinely deciding to forego speaking to the media at tournaments.

“I’m just, yeah, I don’t know,” McIlroy said. “I’ve been totally available for the last few years, and I’m not saying — maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing.”

When McIlroy was asked if he thought being one of the faces of golf for so long had earned him a bit of grace with the media, he did not hesitate to answer.

“I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah,” McIlroy said.