Rory McIlroy delivers Scotland World Cup prediction after opening Group C games

Rory McIlroy reckons Scotland are set to “walk straight through to the knockout stages” in the World Cup after opening the group campaign with a weekend win over Haiti in Boston.

Steve Clarke’s side top Group C ahead of Friday night’s second game against Morocco back in Boston before ending the group phase against five-time winners Brazil in Miami next Wednesday.

McIlroy, a big football fan, was asked by The Scotsman about his thoughts so far on the tournament, including Scotland’s winning start on their World Cup return after 28 years, in a press conference on Tuesday for this week’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island.

Rory McIlroy talks with Jimmy Dunne during a practice round prior to the 126th US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club | Andrew Redington/Getty Images

“I've followed it a little bit,” admitted the Northern Irishman. “It's been interesting so far. Brazil and Morocco drawing, which obviously opens the door for Scotland to walk straight through to the knockout stages, which is great to see. Obviously Spain only drawing (against Cape Verde) yesterday.

“Yeah, it's a different World Cup. There's a lot more teams in it. I wouldn't necessarily be a fan of that, I think, but it means Scotland are in (they’d have actually made it anyway as group winners). So I guess you're happy about that (laughing).

“It's nice that it's on, and especially this week, it's a good distraction to be able to go back from the golf course and turn the football on and forget about the golf for a little bit.”

McIlroy, the 2011 winner, is back on Long Island for the first time since he was subjected to some horrific abuse during last September’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

Asked about his relationship with local fans, he replied, smiling: “Look, I love playing around New York. I love playing in this area. It's got some of the best golf in the world.

“The Ryder Cup is us versus them, very partisan - it's just a different beast. Yeah, was it a rough week for me at times? Absolutely. But it is what it is. If that's a price to pay to live the life that I'm living, then I'm okay with that.”

In a practice round on Monday, the double Masters champion said it had felt completely different to Bethpage Black. “Yeah, it was great. It was amazing,” he added. “Look, New York is New York, and they're going to make their voices heard, but that's a good thing. That's a good atmosphere to play in.”