‘I’ve Always Wanted To Own It’ - Rory McIlroy Ignores ‘Unsolicited Advice’ To Post Strong Scottish Open Start
Rory McIlroy says he's worked out his own way back from his US Open disappointment after he returned to action with a smart 65 at the Scottish Open


After taking time off to lick his wounds following the US Open, Rory McIlroy returned to golf in style with a fine round of 65 on the opening day of his Scottish Open title defence.
In decent scoring conditions at the Renaissance Club, McIlroy hit an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys to finish five under par for the opening round of his title defence.
The Northern Irishman pipped Robert MacIntyre to the trophy last year with a stunning finish and he played alongside the Scotsman again, along with Viktor Hovland, in the early headline group.
McIlroy admitted that it took a while to get over those late missed putts at Pinehurst No.2 that cost him the US Open title, but also insisted that he was now over it and looking forward to both defending the Scottish Open and next week's Open Championship at Troon.
And there was not too much wrong with his game after he overcame a somewhat scratchy start on the back nine, which he played first, before accelerating over the front nine.
"I think it was a bit of a slow start, hit some shots I haven't seen in practice so a bit of a reminder that golf sometimes isn't as easy as I think it is," said McIlroy to Sky Sports after his round.
"But then I started to feel good and gave myself plenty of chances on our back nine and actually left a few shots out there. Overall a good start especially after a scrappy start on the first six or seven holes."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
McIlroy also had more interesting thoughts on how he's managed to get over his US Open disappointment - as he went to New York to work things out by himself.
The four-time Major champion has been given plenty of advice by current pros, former pros and TV analysts about every aspect of his game - even down to his caddie Harry Diamond.
Rory McIlroy chips in for EAGLE! 🦅#GenesisScottishOpen | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/D88iSb04uzJuly 11, 2024
McIlroy says he never reached out for any advice during his time away from golf, as he likes to be the one to figure out his solutions and own both his successes and failures.
"I've always liked to figure things out myself," he added. "I'm not really one to reach out for advice, that's not to say there wasn't a lot of unsolicited advice coming my way.
"Because for me I've always wanted to own it, I've always wanted to own my success and my disappointments and I think being able to figure it out yourself and giving yourself that time is a good thing."
McIlroy hit eight of 13 fairways, 13 of 18 greens in regulation and averaged 303 yards off the tee so his all-round game was not too bad at all in his first competitive round back.
He's hoping for a tougher test around Renaissance Club over the rest of the tournament to sharpen up his game ahead of next week's Open at Royal Troon.
A post shared by Golf Monthly (@golfmonthly)
A photo posted by on
"First time I've played a links course since Hoylake last year, I guess," said McIlroy.
"Getting back into how the wind feels. How the club feels through the turf. All that stuff. So that's why obviously I wanted to play this week.
"It's a good reintroduction to links golf. But obviously with a great opportunity to win as well.
"It was nice to be out there. Great, as well, to be out there with Bob and Viktor, two people I'm really comfortable with and familiar with, and then to have the crowd following us, as well. It was a nice reintroduction to competitive golf and nice to be inside the ropes again for sure.
"So my game has been feeling pretty good in practise over the last ten or so days since I picked the club back up. Obviously the last time I played, I played well. I didn't get the result I wanted but I've still got a lot of confidence in my game."
Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
Finally! Rory McIlroy's New Nike Shoes Have Arrived And Here Is How You Can Get Them
After months of waiting, the latest Victory Tour shoes have gone on sale, and here I have detailed how you can get a pair.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Valero Texas Open 2025 Picks, Predictions And Odds
The last event before The Masters takes place at the Valero Texas Open, where there is one final spot available for the first men's Major of 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy's Masters Odds Slashed Despite Northern Irishman Complaining Of Minor Elbow Issue
The Northern Irishman is being heavily backed by golf fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland ahead of his latest attempt at completing the career Grand Slam
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Issue With Right Elbow Ahead Of Latest Masters Challenge
The four-time Major winner revealed to the Golf Channel he has discomfort in his right elbow, less than two weeks before his latest attempt to win the Green Jacket
By Mike Hall Published
-
‘You Don’t Want 10-Year-Old Kids Punting Their Putters Across The Green Every Time They Miss A Putt’ - Rory McIlroy Says Tour Pros Have ‘Responsibility’ To Set Good Example After Recent Viral Clips Showcasing Players’ Frustrations
Speaking at the Texas Children's Houston Open, McIlroy explained how displaying emotion on the course shows the pros 'are human', but there's also a 'responsibility to set an example'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'The Loss Of A Few Trees Is Definitely Noticeable' - Rory McIlroy On What He Learned From Augusta National Practice Round Ahead Of 2025 Masters
The four-time Major winner made a trip to Augusta National earlier this week in preparation for The Masters
By Elliott Heath Published
-
‘Give The Lad A Break. He’s A Very Good Caddie. Harry, Don’t Read The S****’ - Billy Foster On Critics Of Rory McIlroy’s Caddie
The experienced looper has spoken out and defended McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, with Foster claiming the 'criticism is not fair at all'
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published