Justin Thomas Praises "Great" Rory McIlroy

The American wrote a message of support for his Northern Irish counterpart after McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush

Justin Thomas Praises "Great" Rory McIlroy

The American wrote a message of support for his Northern Irish counterpart after McIlroy missed the cut at Royal Portrush

Justin Thomas Praises "Great" Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy had the eyes of the entire golfing world on him on Friday afternoon as he battled at Royal Portrush in his attempt to make the Open Championship cut.

Thursday was a disaster for the Northern Irishman who shot a 79 after an eight on the first, but he bounced back in superb fashion on Friday with a 65.

Sadly for the tournament favourite, it was one shot shy of the cut mark, and he was the most emotional we have ever seen him in his post-round interview.

Related: Tearful McIlroy breaks down after Portrush despair

McIlroy's peer Justin Thomas took to Twitter to praise his Ryder Cup opponent, who he beat on the 18th hole at Le Golf National last September in the opening singles match.

"Even as a competitor and trying to beat the guy every week, sometimes I have to step back and realize how great @McIlroyRory is for golf.

"How he handles the spotlight, the highs, the lows, his social life, the fans, his golf, everything... it's awesome to watch".

Thomas' fellow American Brandt Snedeker also mentioned Rory on Twitter.

"I think the @TheOpen should let @McIlroyRory play the weekend...," he wrote.

Eddie Pepperell wrote, "boy, he has so much class."

Greg Norman tweeted McIlroy saying, "Hold your head high mate."

"You’re the man, @McIlroyRory," Wells Fargo Championship winner Max Homa tweeted.

Gary Lineker was another to praise McIlroy after seeing criticism of the four-time Major winner on social media.

"Fabulous effort today from @McIlroyRory," he wrote.

"Showed the character of the champion he is. So much rubbish written about lack of bottle.

You don’t win 4 majors and the Player’s without heart and nerve.

"We should be proud of our great sportspeople not bash them at every opportunity."

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV