ROYAL PORTRUSH — It is hard to judge precisely what the benefit might have been to Rory McIlroy of a second near-dawn circumnavigation of Royal Portrush, save for the joy it brought early risers on the Antrim coast. McIlroy is so obviously over his post-Masters anomie, hitting the ball beautifully and at one with himself.
Walking around in the company of putting coach Brad Faxon and his long-time coach Michael Bannon, McIlroy looked as content as he has at any point in his career. Playing partners in the Ulster three-ball, Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke, marvelled at the ease with which he navigated the hillocks and burrows of the Dunluce links, where, aged 16, he set the course record of 61.
Should he replicate with any regularity across the weekend his ridiculous approach to two feet at the 9th, Scottie Scheffler and Co can go home now. His effortless short-iron drew the standard awed appreciation from a gallery that had set the alarm for just this exposure to their hero.
Green Jacket Royal PortrushRory McIlroy is wearing Green on the north coast #golf #bbcgolf #theopen #rorymcilroy pic.twitter.com/w0zyJNeD4o
— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) July 15, 2025Six years after opening with an eight here and missing the cut by a stroke, McIlroy returns to Portrush an even better golfer and one more readily equipped to deal with the adulation he receives. He is, of course, a hero for all of Ireland, his appeal spread across all creeds and denominations, even in this week of marches and processions commemorating the history and traditions of the Orange Order, so deeply entrenched in this part of the world.
The unfurling of flags and restating of allegiances links back to ancient conflicts that were set in train by the failure of Henry VIII to father a viable son with his first wife Catherine of Aragon, which forced upon the realm a religious schism that ultimately legitimised Protestantism at the expense of Catholicism, the consequences of which reverberate in the post-Troubles epoch, if with less force.
The tentacles of the past still carry a sting when provoked, as they have been by the return of The Open to Ulster in marching week. A parade scheduled in Portrush for Saturday has run into arguably the greatest sporting spectacle in the whole of Ireland, with almost 300,000 expected across the seven days of the event.
After watching McIlroy build a handsome lead to take into the final day, the sincere wish of most here, Saturday’s full-house will disgorge on to the streets of Portrush just at the point the drums of 60 bands start up to lead 2,000 people in celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, where, in 1690, William of Orange ended attempts by the deposed Catholic King James II to reclaim the English monarchy.
This has caused no amount of consternation at the R&A that has still to be resolved and might yet lead to adjusted tee times should they fail to reach a compromise with the organisers.
The R&A first met with the Portrush Sons Of Ulster six months ago to find a solution. The organisers argue there was insufficient time to change the date, adding that negotiations should have begun sooner.
Suggestions of a financial settlement in lieu of any inconvenience caused has thus far proved unsuccessful. Moreover anecdotal evidence points to a hardening of attitudes among the organisers determined to put on even more of a show in the town. Mercifully, at ground level and among younger citizens, the divisions that once split this community along religious lines have softened. And sport continues to be an accelerator of change.
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Mark MacGregor, from nearby Ballymoney and a convert to golf, was making his first visit to a tournament. He remarked how, on the occasion of McIlroy’s victory at The Players Championship in Sawgrass this year, the flag of the Red Hand of Ulster was hoisted in these parts in commemoration.
The ancient heraldic symbol has long been associated with Ulster but more usually appropriated by loyalist groups. Since McIlroy is Catholic the gesture was particularly symbolic, mirroring the experience of boxer Barry McGuigan, a Catholic married to a Protestant and a powerful advocate for peace and reconciliation at the height of the Troubles 40 years ago.
“There has been so much bad that has come from this country,” MacGregor said, “it was nice to see something good being promoted for once.
“Rory cuts across ancient divides. The government of Northern Ireland should be getting behind the country and promoting everything that it offers together. The band parade on Saturday is an expression of loyalist culture.
“They should make it a festival for everybody to enjoy.”
MacGregor added that the Catholic community and the Ancient Order of Hibernians should be treated with the same respect. He also points out that the daily lives of people like him no longer orientate around historic divisions, and that the universal support for McIlroy is an example of that.
“Everybody loves Rory, of course. Shane [Lowry], too. I would just like a local lad to win. That’s just me being biased.”
Perhaps that is a message to be absorbed by Orange Order grand secretary, The Rev Mervyn Gibson, whose sentiments seem out of step with modern mores. Speaking at a parade in Keady, County Armagh, last weekend Rev Gibson affirmed the centrality of Ulster to the United Kingdom referencing a past most want to leave behind.
“Let us concentrate on building and promoting this union which a generation defended during the Troubles against the murderous, cowardly terrorist campaign of republicans.”
That old, divisive rhetoric seems to resonate less with younger parishioners, especially those on this stretch of greensward, who seem only to want to get on with their lives and cheer for golfers from the whole island of Ireland, no matter their faith or passport.
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