Rory McIlroy didn’t hold back following Scottie Scheffler’s dominant victory at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush. While the golf world applauded Scheffler’s brilliance, McIlroy took a different route—shifting attention to the Royal & Ancient (R&A) and calling for serious changes moving forward.
“We Need to Start Asking Tougher Questions”
In his post-round press conference, McIlroy was visibly frustrated—not at Scheffler, but at what he called “outdated approaches” to course setup and conditions.
“Scottie was phenomenal—no doubt about that,” McIlroy said. “But when one guy can run away with it like that, even on a championship links course, it tells me the balance isn’t quite right.”
McIlroy went on to say that while great players should be rewarded, the Open needs to protect the challenge it’s known for.
“The Open is supposed to test every aspect of your game: wind control, patience, strategy. When scoring gets too low and conditions get too soft, that identity fades. I’d love to see firmer setups and tougher pin placements moving forward.”
A Message to the R&A
McIlroy was clear that his comments weren’t criticism of Scheffler—who he called “the best player in the world right now”—but a direct message to the championship organizers.
“This isn’t about one result. It’s about preserving the essence of what The Open is. I hope the R&A hears that from not just me, but from players who love this championship and what it stands for.”
He also hinted at the idea of rotating to tougher venues or revisiting how future courses are prepared.
“Royal Portrush is one of the best courses we have, but every course can be made more demanding. Let’s not forget that the weather used to be our defense—if that’s not there, then setup becomes everything.”
Respect for Scheffler, But a Wake-Up Call for Golf
Despite the pointed message, McIlroy closed with praise for Scheffler’s poise and dominance.
“Scottie’s playing the best golf of anyone in the world, no question. But when someone makes it look that easy, it should force us to ask if the test was strong enough.”
As Scheffler celebrates another major win, McIlroy’s comments might spark broader discussions in the golfing world—especially among Open Championship officials looking ahead to 2026.
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