The 152nd Open Championship concluded this weekend with American golfer Xander Schauffele claiming victory at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland.
The triumph was Schauffele’s second consecutive victory at a major tournament after his nail-biting success at the PGA Championship in May.
Schauffele’s performance was a masterclass. He carded a bogey-free 65 in the final round, marking one of the most memorable climaxes in Open history.
His victory means American golfers have now won all four major championships in the same year for the first time since 1982.
That left a bittersweet taste for Irish golf fans, who were hoping to see their local heroes hoist the coveted Claret Jug in Scotland.
While the dream remains unfulfilled, there is plenty to unpack from the performances of Ireland’s stars, especially Rory McIlroy, who had a tournament to forget.
Rory McIlroy
While McIlroy hasn’t had the best year of his career, most betting sites tipped him as one of the pre-tournament favourites to win The Open.
However, his performance in Scotland left the oddsmakers scratching their heads. To the dismay of punters who backed him to win, it has been another fruitless major season for McIlroy.
The Northern Irish golfer struggled to find the fairways and greens in the high winds at Royal Troon. He got off to an awful start with 78, but shooting four-over-par 75 on Friday sealed his fate.
His performance left him well adrift of the six-over cut line at 11-over par, marking the highest trim in the tournament for over a decade.
McIlroy’s disappointing showing in Scotland follows a crushing defeat against Bryson DeChambeau in last month’s United States Open, leaving him without a major title in over a decade.
Shane Lowry
Shane Lowry was one of Ireland’s better performers at The Open, but unfavourable weather conditions derailed his bid to win a second title.
Despite carrying a two-shot lead into Saturday, Lowry was left with a daunting three-shot deficit after a disappointing six-over-par 77 due to the terrible conditions.
The 2019 winner mounted a late comeback, hitting four birdies in a front nine of 33, but he failed to maintain the momentum.
He birdied again at the par-three 17th, but it wasn’t enough to secure victory, and he closed with a respectable 68 to finish sixth on four under.
Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington may not have added another Claret Jug to his collection, but the 52-year-old veteran is choosing to focus on the positives from his performance at Royal Troon.
The Irishman finished joint 22nd at four-over par after a one-over final round of 72 saw him mix two birdies with three bogeys over the 18 holes.
Those birdies on the 1st and 7th holes showcased Harrington’s ability to seize opportunities, but he knew that moving up the leaderboard would take something special.
He ultimately finished 13 shots adrift of champion Schauffele and eight behind fellow Irishman Lowry.
Darren Clarke
While his best years are behind him, Darren Clarke displayed flashes of brilliance that brought back memories of his historic victory in 2011.
Clarke closed with a 75 alongside fellow Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin to finish tied 76th on 16-over.
The 55-year-old has admitted that next year’s tournament at Royal Portrush could be his last, potentially calling time on a career that has spanned over three decades.
His presence in Scotland offered a connection to Ireland’s rich golfing history – one that McKibbin and Liam Nolan hope to emulate in the years to come.
Tom McKibbin
Talented Northern Irish golfer McKibbin finished tied 66th after an impressive display at the Open.
The 21-year-old prodigy impressed with a maturity beyond his years, drawing comparisons to a young McIlroy with his aggressive and fearless approach to the challenging Royal Troon course.
McKibbin made the cut thanks to a crucial second-round 72 that placed him within striking distance, sharing 26th place at three-over par.
A three-putt on the final hole in the second round prevented him from shooting an even-par 71, which could have propelled him further up the leaderboard.
However, McKibbin remained positive about his performance, and rightly so, considering he was making his debut at The Open.
Liam Nolan
Liam Nolan’s dream debut at The Open didn’t end with weekend glory, but the experience ignited a fire within the young Irishman.
Missing the cut at Royal Troon only fuelled his hunger to return to the biggest stage, and with his professional turn just around the corner, Nolan is armed with invaluable experience.
A second-round 77 left Nolan at a respectable thirteen-over par for the tournament, a score that saw him tied with McIlroy on the back nine of the Irishman’s final round.
He didn’t leave empty-handed. A 412-yard drive on the par-5 16th set him up for his only birdie of the week. It was a moment to savour and a glimpse of the Irishman’s undoubted brilliance.