Secret Rory McIlroy trick spoiled after golf legend accidentally reveals it
Rory McIlroy recently shared how one of his little tricks got spoiled by golf legend Nick Faldo. McIlroy is hoping to add another win at this week’s Genesis Scottish Open, where he finished day one three under par.
Doing well here would help him get ready for The Open Championship, the last big major on the golf calendar in 2026. So far this season, Rory has only one win, but it was a huge one—he won his second straight Masters title in April at Augusta National.
On the flip side, he had a tough time at the US Open in June, ending up six over par. He honestly said, “I think it won the battle over me.”
Starting the tournament on Thursday, McIlroy praised how the Scottish Open has really grown. “Since this event has been co-sanctioned, it’s gone from strength to strength,” he told reporters. “The field is strong, the sponsor Genesis is great, and the course and facilities keep getting better every year.”
Playing well at North Berthwick could get fans excited for The Open, and Rory is already preparing. He’s known for checking out major tournament courses before the big days. Recently, he was seen checking out Royal Birkdale with none other than Nick Faldo.
Though McIlroy wished it was a secret trip, Faldo couldn’t help but share it. “Birkdale was definitely just a scouting trip for The Open,” Rory said at the Scottish Open. “I would have liked to keep it quiet, but Faldo couldn’t put his phone away! I love Nick. He’s great. We had a good time walking a few holes.”
Faldo, a six-time major winner, joined Rory for several holes before heading off to play at St Enodoc last Friday, all part of their prep for The Open.
Right now, McIlroy is the second favorite to win The Open, just behind Scottie Scheffler. If Rory wants another major title in 2026, he’ll need to bounce back from his US Open struggles.
He has won The Open once before—in 2014 at Royal Liverpool—where he triumphed with an amazing 17 under par, beating Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler by two strokes.
Last time at Royal Birkdale, he finished fourth with a final round of 67, though he was seven shots behind winner Jordan Spieth. He’s also done well at other Open venues, finishing third at St Andrews in 2022, sixth in 2023, missed the cut in 2024, and finished seventh at Royal Portrush last year.