The Open: McIlroy says Portrush return was 2025 priority

Rory McIlroy admitted he viewed this week's Open Championship at Royal Portrush as more important than the Masters when setting his goals for 2025.

In April, McIlroy became just the sixth man to complete a career grand slam – and the first European to do so – when he beat Justin Rose in a nail-biting play-off at Augusta National.

McIlroy could now become only the ninth player to win the Masters and the Open in the same year, and the first since Tiger Woods in 2005.

And with the tournament taking place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, just over 60 miles from McIlroy's hometown of Holywood, County Down, he is even more motivated.

Although McIlroy's desperation to win a green jacket was well-documented, lifting the Claret Jug in Northern Ireland may top that achievement.

"When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was probably the tournament that was circled, even more so than the Masters," McIlroy, who won the Open in 2014 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, told reporters.

"So it's lovely to be coming in here for a major. I'm excited with where my game is. I feel like I'm in a good spot."

Rory has arrived at Royal Portrush. pic.twitter.com/1eYP04WtiE
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 14, 2025

The five-time major champion was off the pace at the PGA Championship (T47) and the U.S. Open (T19), but he knows he has the chance to make a special year even better.

"I've done something I told everyone that I wanted to do, but I still feel like I have a lot more to give," McIlroy continued.

"You talk about the pressure being off. Yes, but we're all competitors, we all want to do better and get a little bit extra from what we have.

"It has been an amazing year and the fact that I'm here, at Portrush, with the green jacket and having completed that lifelong dream, I want to try and enjoy everything that comes my way this week.

"At the same time, I want to win this golf tournament and I feel like I'm very confident of doing that."

McIlroy was tied for second at the Scottish Open last week, finishing two shots behind victor Chris Gotterup and level with Marco Penge.

While he approaches the Open in good form, McIlroy does not have pleasant memories of the last time the tournament was held at Royal Portrush.

Amid much fanfare as the home favourite in 2019, McIlroy missed the cut by one stroke after carding scores of 79 and 65.

Reflecting on that disappointing result, McIlroy said: "That walk to the first tee and that ovation... I was a little surprised and a little taken aback.

"I was like, 'these people really want me to win!'

"It was just something I didn't mentally prepare for that day, but I learned pretty quickly that one of my challenges – especially in a week like this – is controlling myself."