Rory McIlroy Joins Jon Rahm And Ian Poulter At Queenwood Cup Before Scottish Open Return

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy prepared for his competitive return at the Scottish Open by participating in a pro-member event at the prestigious Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey on Monday. Queenwood is known for its exclusive membership, with initial fees estimated to be over £200,000 and a limited number of members, many of whom are tour professionals, including McIlroy.

The club, established in 2001, hosts an annual one-day pro-member event called the Queenwood Cup on its championship course. McIlroy competed in this event alongside notable players such as Jon Rahm, Sahith Theegala, Ian Poulter, Tom McKibbin, Rich Beem, and Annabel Dimmock.

McIlroy, 35, has participated in the Queenwood Cup before, notably shooting a nine-under 63 before The Open at Royal Portrush in 2019, which was four strokes better than Rahm. However, his score could have been even lower if not for an unlucky bounce off the flagstick on the final hole, which resulted in a bogey.

This year, while McIlroy performed well, it was Rahm who reportedly emerged victorious, succeeding 2023 winner Zane Scotland as champion. Rahm is currently preparing for the LIV Golf Andalucia event at Valderrama in Spain, coinciding with the Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club.

McIlroy is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday morning, marking his first public appearance since his disappointing finish at the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 last month. During that tournament, he saw a clear chance to win his fifth Major title slip away after bogeying three of his final four holes and missing two short putts.

After taking a few weeks off, McIlroy was seen with his wife Erica at a group dinner in London on Monday. Several members of Team Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup team were also in attendance, including captain Luke Donald, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Shane Lowry, along with their partners.

Additionally, Donald, Hatton, Fleetwood, Lowry, and Matt Fitzpatrick were spotted in the Royal Box at Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Monday, taking a break from golf to enjoy some tennis. Other golfing stars such as Ludvig Aberg, Charley Hull, Justin Rose, and Gemma Dryburgh were also seen at Wimbledon during the 2024 Championships in southwest London.