Rory McIlroy hasn’t played much PGA Tour golf in the last couple of months, instead taking an opportunity to recharge his batteries before the European swing.
Apparently, his break included a trip to the barber.
Because McIlroy is one of the most popular, best-known golfers on the planet, even the simplest decisions — such as a hairdo — are grounds for news, and thus, here we are. McIlroy showed up to the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, sporting a new, shorter, summer look up top.
Rory McIlroy’s PGA Tour Break Included Brand-New Haircut
GettyRory McIlroy shows off new haircut at practice round for the Genesis Scottish Open.
If the social media reaction is any indication, it’s going to take a while for golf fans to get used to McIlroy’s new look.
“I’m aware of Rory’s new haircut,” the Rory Tracker account on X tweeted before adding, “No questions at this time.”
Another X user, @schaeffnbake, stated the rather obvious: “Rory needs to stick to his old hair. Looks 20 years older here with his new cut.”
Another suggested the new ‘do makes McIlroy look like Jeremy Strong of Kendall Roy “Succession” fame.
Not everyone thinks it’s a bad move, as evidenced by the feedback from @GothGolfGirl, who defended the former world No. 1’s choices — sort of.
“Am I the only one who doesn’t hate Rory’s haircut?” the account asked. “He could use a little more fading on the sides so it doesn’t look like a tennis ball, but I enjoy the fresh overall look *ducks tomato*”
McIlroy’s Return Comes at Perfect Time on Tour Schedule
Whether it’s the haircut or something else, McIlroy insists he’s recharged as the Tour makes its annual swing through Scotland ahead of The Open Championship. McIlroy has always spoke about his love for links golf, and that plus the time off has him in a good space after some unusually grumpy behavior this season post-Masters win.
“The last couple of weeks have been really nice,” he admitted in a press conference, as transcribed by ASAP Sports. “It’s been nice to get back over here. See some familiar faces. And yeah, I feel like I didn’t give myself that time after Augusta. Bit of a whirlwind. I wanted to go home and see my mum and dad, then New Orleans, the media tour, all a bit of a whirlwind, and straight into the next major.
“It’s been nice to have those these couple of weeks to reflect and as well as rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year.”
McIlroy’s return coincides with a couple of comfortable landing spots. He won the 2023 Scottish Open at the Renaissance where he birdied the final two holes to win. He then came just short of defending his title, finishing in a tie for fourth at the same tournament a year ago.
The Open Championship then returns to Royal Portrush where McIlroy’s good friend, Shane Lowry, won the Claret Jug in 2019. McIlroy is no stranger to the course in his native Northern Ireland where he set the course record with a 61 in 2005. He should be even more motivated this time around after 2019 when his tournament essentially ended before it even began. McIlroy made an eight on the first hole and couldn’t completely rebound despite setting the post-renovation course record with a 65 in the second round (Lowry broke it the next day); he missed the cut that weekend at Portrush.
McIlroy showed signs of life at the U.S. Open, sneaking in a top-20 finish and then built some momentum with a top-10 finish at the Travelers Championship in his most recent Tour start.
Rory McIlroy Has Golf World Buzzing with New Look at Scottish Open