Golf news: Rory McIlroy stuns locals as PGA Tour star moved to tears
Golf round-up as Rory McIlroy shocks members of a little-known club
The countdown to the 154th Open Championship is underway, with the top players in the world arriving in the UK ahead of the final major of the year. As ever, there will be huge attention on Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who is looking for his second Open title and first since 2014.
World number one Scottie Scheffler will be a force as he looks to defend the title he won at Royal Portrush last year and avoid his first major-less year since 2023.
The other two big winners of the year, PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai and US Open champion Wyndham Clark, should head to Birkdale full of confidence, while the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Matt Fitzpatrick will hope to challenge too.
Before the Open, which begins on July 16, many of the sport's leading stars will take part in the Genesis Scottish Open in East Lothian. Ahead of a big couple of weeks, here's a round-up of the latest golfing news…
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Rory McIlroy stuns locals
McIlroy left members of a local golf club stunned when he rocked up for a practice round. The US-based Northern Irishman arrived in the UK to fine-tune preparations for The Open, which is preceded by the Scottish Open, starting on Thursday.
McIlroy, along with Shane Lowry and Luke Donald, started the build-up by playing in a very different part of the country. The trio have been in Rock on Cornwall's north coast for a round at St. Enodoc Golf Club.
The club announced their arrival on social media, sharing several pictures of the trio on the course and the message: "Welcome to St. Enodoc, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Luke Donald."
As news of the visit spread, the trio were joined by a growing gallery of members and local golf fans. Lowry reshared one of the club's posts and said: "Links golf season. Thanks to the members and staff @stenodocgolf for a great day."
PGA Tour star breaks down
Chris Gotterup couldn't hold back the tears as he won the John Deere Classic with older brother Patrick on his bag. Gotterup fired a stunning nine-under-par final-round 62 to seal his third PGA Tour title of the year at the TPC Deere Run in Illinois.
The 26-year-old American began the day five shots behind overnight leaders Lucas Glover and Lee Hodges, but posted nine birdies in a bogey-free round to edge out Max Homa by one stroke.
Gotterup broke down in tears during an interview with CBS reporter Amanda Balionis, with Patrick by his side. He said: "I really like this tournament, they’ve been super nice to me, and to come out here and to have Patrick out here with me… it's just so awesome."
As the tears flowed, he added: "For him to take time out this week and some PTO (paid time off), and hopefully he gets one more day of PTO tomorrow from work, but yeah, just so awesome, this tournament has been awesome to me. It’s just a great week."
Gotterup finished on 20 under par, while compatriot Homa made eight birdies and one bogey for a final-round 64 to end on 19 under, one ahead of Glover and Hodges, who both posted final rounds of 69 to finish tied for third alongside Ben Kohles.
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