Rory McIlroy and fun haven’t been on the same path for a while, but the 36-year-old Northern Irishman is determined to change that at the Genesis Scottish Open this week. It has been two weeks since his last competitive round and several months since his victory at the Masters in Augusta, which ended an 11-year major championship drought. McIlroy is feeling refreshed as he enters this tournament after taking a break from the game to recharge. Following the Scottish Open, where he previously won in 2023 and finished fourth last year, McIlroy will head to Royal Portrush for the Open Championship in his native Northern Ireland.
Reflecting on his past year, McIlroy mentioned that he made it a priority to have more fun and shared some of his recent experiences, such as watching a soccer match in Dortmund, taking a skiing holiday in Montana with his daughter Poppy, and traveling to various destinations. He emphasized the importance of enjoying life outside of golf and building his schedule around moments of leisure.
Despite his recent mixed results in major tournaments, McIlroy is looking to regain his championship form at the Genesis Scottish Open, which features a competitive field and higher stakes for PGA Tour players chasing FedEx Cup points. He acknowledged the improvements made to the golf course and the significance of the event being co-sanctioned as the playoffs approach. Looking ahead to the Open at Royal Portrush, a venue that holds special meaning for him, McIlroy sees it as a challenge that he is eager to conquer, likening it to winning prestigious titles at other iconic golf courses.
McIlroy is focused on making the most of these upcoming tournaments and enjoying the journey, both on and off the golf course.
Regarding last year (2019), you know, I really enjoyed Friday, it was amazing. Thursday, not so much. It reminds me of Novak Djokovic winning the Olympics last year. He knew it was his last chance and the emotions and significance were clear. You can’t ignore it. But when you’re on the golf course, you have to focus and play as if you’re not at home, treating it like any other tournament. McIlroy’s victory in the Open in 2014 and his top-five finishes by age 29 are impressive. His previous performance at Portrush, starting with a rough first round followed by an exciting second round, was memorable for the home crowd, despite narrowly missing the cut.
