Portrush Open 2025: Veteran golf enthusiasts say it is equal to major global tournaments - or better
Time and again today, veteran golf enthusiasts told the News Letter the same thing: that this year’s Open in Portrush is the equal of major tournaments across the world – if not better.
The day saw Rory McIlroy – the near-universal fan favourite – hold his own and secure his return for the weekend.
Meanwhile the News Letter spoke to visitors from across the globe about their experiences of the event so far.
During the whole day, only two complaints were heard: firstly, the weather (there was a torrential downpour at about 3pm, followed by lingering drizzle afterwards), and one spectator’s view that too many tickets had been sold to the event.
Richard Knox, 68, from Greenville, South Carolina, said: "I think they're doing a great job. The organisation compared to tournaments at home is a couple of levels above.
"This one is run as well as any golf tournament I've ever been to – I've been to four Opens, I've been to the Masters probably 10 times, US Open, Walker Cup, Ryder Cup. As I said, this compares favourably to any of them.
"It's a little better organised than 2019. I think the town and the surrounding area is more clued-in this time.
"A lot of restaurants, food service places, have experience of being overwhelmed in 2019, and they're better organised this time."
An Ulster-Scot by background, this is his 40th trip to Northern Ireland.
"It’s such a great sight, to be able to come over here now and not know when you cross the border,” he said.
"Before the military would jerk you out of the car. It’s just the beauty and the people [that keep bringing him back].
Anna Bacock, 45, is originally from Lurgan, but now lives in a small town called Big Pine on a Native American reservation in California.
She has tickets for several days, and said: "It is fantastic – 10 out of 10. We've been to a US Open and this is a way better experience – the layout, accessibility, toilets. And do you know what? It's almost spotless!"
Steven Carruthers, 55 and from Edinburgh, had been to “about two dozen” Opens, and said this one is “outstanding”.
He said he was supporting McIlroy because “he’s a Celt”.
"But he’s also one of the leading lights in golf,” he said.
“Tiger is no longer in the limelight these days, and to see him here, home on his patch, is second to none.”
Drew McArthur, 19, and from near Aberdeen, said: "Portrush itself is just a beautiful village, and it's run very, very smoothly. This is the fourth or fifth Open I've been to. And it's top of the list.
"The people – that's a big pull, how welcoming everyone is."
His brother Cammy, 26, said: "I've been to a few Opens, and this just feels different – the atmosphere."
The complaint about spectator numbers came from Richard Devine, originally from Dublin, now living in Glasgow.
"We were here in 2019 and enjoyed the experience," he said.
"But I feel too many tickets were sold [this year] and the experience isn't the same."
Ballymena native Campbell McAnally, 62 and now living in Orlando, Florida, said: "I've been to quite a few [tournaments] in America, and the only thing missing here is the weather."
Arpit Agarwal, 57, and from Mumbai, travels to The Open every year.
Each Open is an improvement on the last, and this is no exception. "I think the event's fantastic,” he said.
“There is so much camaraderie, you can talk to anyone as if you've known them forever."
Meanwhile his niece Dia Goel, 13 and a keen golfer herself, said: "This is the first Open I've ever been to but so far, it's amazing."
Alex Conkey, 25, is a member of Royal Portrush itself.
He said: “They’ve done it right, where you can leave the event and come back, so hopefully it gives more exposure to the rest of the town.
"It’s great exposure for the club, and a lot of the stewards here are members.”
As to who the crowd were supporting, the name that came up on almost every occasion regardless of nationality was Rory McIlroy.
Stephanie Downes, 59 and from Kilkenny, said: “He's number one. I'm trying to see Scottie too, but Rory is just the king of the castle, isn't he?"
What’s his support like in Kilkenny?
"Are you joking me?" she replied. "Everybody would be shouting for Rory. The roof will come off Northern Ireland – in fact the whole of Ireland – if he wins."
Edgar Cumins, 65 and from Hillsborough, said: “We’re here to see Rory hopefully bring it home. He’s done well – he’s kept it up. Everyone is willing him on.”
He added that “everywhere he goes the crowds are 10 times deeper” than for anyone else.
Rami Veranen, 59 and from Finland, said: “Though I’m not a teenager, it really does feel magical to be so close to these guys.”
Meanwhile the News Letter met a couple of particularly unusual spectators of the action – a pair of Harris’s hawks.
Owner David Trenier, 40 and from Magheramorne, and his fiancee were walking around the birds on their arms.
Mr Trenier said they serve to intimidate seagulls who would otherwise swoop down and steal spectators’ food.
"She doesn’t catch them,” he stressed. “It’s more of a scare tactic.”
Volunteer steward Kyle Leckey, 50, said 50,000 people had been expected throughout Friday.
A Portrush native himself, he has given up his time for eight days to help direct people around the course, unpaid.
"It's just the buzz of the place, and it's great to meet folk: from Australia, New Zealand, India,|” he said.
"Anybody I've spoken to is just in awe of the coast and the country.
"I think from a tourist point of view, it's huge. They just can't get over the scenery here, and you'd like to think they'll come back."