'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Golf's final Major tournament of the year, the Open Championship, is set to be played at the Royal Troon Golf Club in South Ayrshire, Scotland, from July 18 to 21. Ahead of Thursday's opening round, Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin took on the par 71 course in a fun friendly competition.
Both the Irishman challenged their fellow competitors, Ryan Fox and Min Woo Lee, during the practice round on Wednesday (July 17). The group engaged in a fun competition to blow off some steam before getting their heads set on winning the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Open Championship from tomorrow onwards.
In a video shared by the DP World Tour's official account on the X platform, Rory McIlroy declared the match as "Northern hemisphere vs Southern hemisphere". The foursome can be seen sharing a couple of good laughs and jokes on course amidst the friendly battle. The huge crowd of spectators following the group can be heard cheering them on while also chuckling along with the players.
Trending
Watch it here:
Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin's 2024 Open Championship Round 1 tee times and pairings explored
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy seeks to earn his second Open Championship title this week at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The Irishman has been on the hunt for the trophy since his win in 2014. Following a tied-for sixth-place finish last year, McIlroy is the crowd favorite to win this week.
Rory McIlroy will tee it up with Max Homa and Tyrrell Hatton for the opening round of the final Major championship of the year. The group will tee it up at 10:09 AM local time off the par 71 course's par four first hole.
McIlroy's practice round playing partner, Tom McKibbin, will be making his second start at a Major championship event this week. Following a tied-for 41st-place finish at the 2024 Augusta Masters, McKibbin seeks to set a new career record at the Scotland course.
He will be teeing it up in the second group of the day at 6:46 AM local time. The DP World Tour star has been paired with Alex Noren and amateur golfer, Calum Scott. The threesome will be starting off the Royal Troon Golf Club's 366 yard long first hole.
Both Rory McIlroy and Tom McKibbin will be teeing up the second round of the 2024 Open Championship with the same pairings. McIlroy will be starting off the first hole at 3:10 PM local time on Friday. McKibbin will be teeing it up at 11:47 AM local time.
