Since Rory McIlroy tied for seventh place last week at The Open at Royal Portrush, we’ve seen him twice. Once at a French vacation, and once on a golf course, at a tournament where he wasn’t playing.

Earlier this week, a social media video popped up of a fan saying he saw McIlroy enjoying some rest and relaxation at a Saint-Tropez beach club. With loud music blaring in the background, the fan asked McIlroy where he was keeping the green jacket these days. McIlroy, in an all-time response, simply said, “it’s on the yacht.”

On Sunday, the DP World Tour posted a video on social media of McIlroy in attendance at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open at Sunningdale in England. McIlroy was shaking hands with those in attendance and was seen taking a photo with a young fan. It is not immediately known if McIlroy was there for any specific reason. Padraig Harrington held a two-shot lead heading into the final round, looking to win his second senior major this year after winning the U.S. Senior Open.

 

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It’s been an eventful year for McIlroy, of course, as he’s won three PGA Tour events, including the Players Championship and the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. He trailed Scottie Scheffler in FedEx Cup points as the tour is nearing the playoffs.

The regular season concludes next week at the Wyndham Championship, then goes to the FedEx St. Jude Championship, BMW Championship and Tour Championship in the next three consecutive weeks.

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The legends of the game return to the UK’s golfing heartland this week, as the ISPS HANDA Senior Open touches down at one of the world’s most well-regarded inland layouts — the Old Course at Sunningdale Golf Club.

From 24–27 July, a world-class field of Major winners and Ryder Cup stars will gather to contest Europe’s only Senior Major Championship.

Following a dramatic 2024 edition at Carnoustie, where K.J. Choi made history as the first South Korean to capture a Senior Major title, the focus now shifts south of the border to Berkshire.

Choi will return to defend his crown on a course steeped in tradition and having already committed to a rare double — playing both The Open at Royal Portrush the week prior, and then defending his title at Sunningdale.

Joining the 2024 champion in the field are a host of ISPS HANDA Ambassadors Thomas Bjørn, Ernie Els, Pádraig Harrington and Colin Montgomerie. They will be joined by four-time winner of The Senior Open, Bernhard Langer, the most decorated senior player in history, who recently brought his Masters career to a close at Augusta National. Langer will make his 17th consecutive appearance in this championship, having never finished worse than T12. He was in fact runner-up the last time this event was played at Sunningdale.

First played in 1987, The ISPS HANDA Senior Open has been held on some of the United Kingdom’s most celebrated and historic courses. Sunningdale first hosted the Championship in 2009, when American Loren Roberts defeated compatriot Fred Funk and Irishman Mark McNulty in a play-off.

Sunningdale GC’s 8th par 3. David Cannon Getty Images

Designed by Willie Park Junior and opened in 1901, Sunningdale’s Old Course is a classic heathland golf course. With pine tree-lined fairways, tracks of purple heather, and elevation changes, it is widely regarded as one of the finest inland courses on the planet.

Originally built on land owned by St. John’s College, Cambridge, Park’s design was a revelation at the time, showcasing how inland layouts could rival links courses in challenge and character. His architectural style is visible throughout the Old’s routing, bunkering, and signature undulating greens — features that reward both creativity and precision.

Later refined by Harry Colt, who relocated several greens including the now-iconic 4th, 7th and 12th, the course has stood the test of time without reliance on length. Instead, it demands strategic placement, shot shaping, and a deft touch on and around the greens.

Located just 45 minutes from central London and set amidst the rolling Berkshire countryside, Sunningdale offers a quintessentially English golf experience — charming, understated luxury paired with tradition-rich hospitality. With its ivy-clad clubhouse, panoramic terrace views, and admiration for the game, the club embodies everything great about British
golf heritage.

The 2025 edition of the ISPS HANDA Senior Open promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in Senior Major Championship history.

Key Holes

Sunningdale GC’s 10th par 4. David Cannon Getty Images

10th Hole
Par 4 — 488 yards
One of the toughest holes on the course, this long two-shotter plays uphill with a slight left-to-right shape. Deep fairway bunkers and a green that slopes from back to front make this a true test of distance control. The view of the hole from the Half Way Hut, behind the tee box, is something to treasure.

Sunningdale Golf Club – 18th par 4. David Cannon Getty Images

18th Hole
Par 4 — 423 yards
A magnificent finishing hole framed by pines and heather. Accuracy off the tee is vital to avoid the fairway bunkers, leaving a mid-iron into a contoured green sitting below the historic clubhouse. It’s a hole worthy of crowning a champion with the Clubhouse and iconic Oak Tree at the back of the green.

For more info, visit legendstour.com

Main image: David Cannon/Getty Images

This article was featured in the July 2025 issue of Golf Digest Middle East. Click here for a digital issue of the full magazine

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Some of golf’s most renowned names are set to tee it up on the Old Course when Europe’s only Senior Major returns to the famed Berkshire venue. Sunningdale will host the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for the fourth time in its history, following on from 2009, 2015 and 2021.

The trio join defending champion K.J. Choi, record 12-time Senior Major Champion Bernhard Langer, Major Champions Pádraig Harrington and Ernie Els and European legends Colin Montgomerie and Thomas Bjørn in what promises to be a star-studded field.

Darren Clarke understandably was smiling after becoming just the fourth golfer to win the Open and Senior Open as he wins the Senior Open at Gleneagles. Mark Runnacles

In 2022, Clarke became the fourth player to win both The Open and The Senior Open when he triumphed at Gleneagles, finishing one stroke ahead of Pádraig Harrington. Clarke won The Claret Jug at Royal St George’s in 2011, becoming the first Northern Irish winner of The Open in more than 60 years.

The 56-year-old finished third the last time the Senior Open was held at Sunningdale, just two strokes behind eventual winner Stephen Dodd.

“I’m very proud to have won both The Open and The Senior Open and I’m very much looking forward to going back to Sunningdale this Summer,” said Clarke. “It’s fantastic that the Senior Open gives us the opportunity to play on a number of the best courses in the country and the Old Course at Sunningdale is certainly a worthy test.”

Miguel Angel Jimenéz lifted the trophy in 2018.

Jiménez claimed The Senior Open trophy in style in 2018 as he triumphed on the Old Course at St Andrews. It was his second Senior Major Championship and earlier this month he won his 16th title on PGA TOUR Champions at the Principal Charity Classic. He was runner-up to Dodd four years ago at Sunningdale.

“The Senior Open is a very special event to me and I’m so proud to call myself a winner of the Championship,” said Jiménez. “I’ve been wanting to go back to Sunningdale since my runner-up finish there a few years ago and I’m hopeful I can go one better in a few weeks’ time.”

José María Olazábal captured the Masters on two occasions.

Olázabal, who won the Masters Tournament in 1994 and 1999, will be making his eighth appearance at The Senior Open. The Spaniard formed a formidable Ryder Cup partnership with the legendary Seve Ballesteros as they returned 12 points from 15 matches together across four editions. He went on to captain Europe in 2012 as he masterminded the Miracle at Medinah, seeing his side overturn a four-point deficit on the final day to win 14½ – 13½.

“I’m excited to return to Sunningdale next month,” said Olazábal. “The Senior Open is a great event and one which we all look forward to playing in.”

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The trio join three-time Major Champion and fellow ISPS HANDA Ambassador Pádraig Harrington in the field, which will include a host of Major winners, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup players and former champions from the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.

ISPS HANDA, founded by the Japanese philanthropist Dr. Haruhisa Handa, was recently announced as the new title partner of The Senior Open. The organisation is a long-term partner of professional and amateur golf, promoting the ethos that sport has the power to unite and inspire communities around the world.

Sunningdale will host the ISPS HANDA Senior Open for the fourth time in its history, following on from the 2009, 2015 and 2021 editions.

Colin Montgomerie

Montgomerie was the dominant force in European golf during the 1990s, winning a record seven consecutive Order of Merits from 1993 to 1999 and then adding an eighth in 2005. The Scotsman made eight appearances in the Ryder Cup and captained Europe to victory at Celtic Manor in 2010. He won 31 times on the DP World Tour and has 13 over-50s titles, including three Senior Major Championships.

“The Old Course at Sunningdale is an excellent test of golf and we are all looking forward to returning there later this year,” said Montgomerie. “It’s always a pleasure playing in front of fans in the United Kingdom and they are in for a real treat this summer. The standard of golf in the over-50s game is so high, so the stage is set for a special week.”

Ernie Els – Ross Kinnaird

Former World Number One and four-time Major Champion Els made his Senior Open debut at Sunningdale in 2021, finishing in a share of eighth. Els made eight appearances for the International side at the Presidents Cup and captained the team in 2019. The South African has won seven times on PGA TOUR Champions, including his first Senior Major victory at last year’s Kaulig Companies Championship.

“I’m really excited for this year’s ISPS HANDA Senior Open,” said Els. “Sunningdale is an incredible venue and it would mean a lot to me to get a win so close to my home at Wentworth. My game is in good shape, and I hope to carry that form into the Senior Open in July.”

Captain Thomas Bjorn of Europe holds the Ryder Cup with his European team after a lopsided win at Le Golf National in 2018 – Christian Petersen

Bjørn is Denmark’s most successful golfer in history, winning 15 times on the DP World Tour and captaining Europe to a victory at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National. He also made three appearances in golf’s greatest team contest, being a member of the winning side on each occasion. The 54-year-old is a regular fixture on PGA TOUR Champions and has recorded 11 top ten finishes in the United States since the start of last season.

“It’s great having ISPS HANDA on board as Title Partner of this wonderful Championship,” said Bjørn. “I’ve only had the chance to play in The Senior Open a couple of times, but the standard is so high, you really have to be on your game to compete at this level.”

Padraig Harrington – Jared C. Tilton

Three-time Major Champion Harrington, who won The Open in 2007 and 2008 and the US PGA Championship in 2008, has finished inside the top five in three appearances at the Senior Open. He was runner-up on his first two appearances and finished fifth at Carnoustie last year.

“Sunningdale is a fantastic golf course and I’m looking forward to seeing the challenge it presents us with a Senior Open setup,” said Harrington. “I’ve had a few close calls in this Championship so far and would love to be in contention again going down the stretch.”

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