Rory McIlroy rarely got to play in Northern Ireland as a pro before the 2019 Open Championship was staged at Royal Portrush Golf Club. He remembers the internal pressure when he arrived for his tee time that Thursday -- the pressure of wanting to be the hero for his country.

As the Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush, those who say Rory McIlroy shoot a record 61 around the course as a 16-year-old remember it as the day he went to "the next level" in his career.

Shocked by the strength of the reception that greeted the returning hero at the start of the 2019 Open, McIlroy famously fired out of bounds off the tee, took eight shots to get the ball in the hole and went on to card a 79.

The Open returns to Royal Portrush this week, six years on from the last time the major was held at the iconic golf club. The Dunluce Links Course is going to provide a tough test for the

Rory McIlroy admits he prioritised Royal Portrush return over career Grand Slam - The 36-year-old added a Masters green jacket to his collection in April to become the sixth player to win all four major championships.

Wednesday marked the final practice session ahead of The Open getting underway at Royal Portrush with Rory McIlroy amongst the star names applying the finishing touches to their game prior to Thursday’s opening round.

"It's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times," Rory McIlroy said of his return to Royal Portrush for the British Open.

Rory McIlroy attended the Association of Golf Writers dinner on Tuesday evening and was decked out in green — Masters green.

The oldest championship in golf always brings out something new. The British Open returns to Royal Portrush for the third time. The weather has been changing every day.

Royal Portrush has a storied history in the evolution of golf in Ireland as it prepares to host The Open for a third time