McIlroy was born just 62 miles from the site of the 153rd Open Championship and set a new course record of 61 at Dunluce Road when he was just 16-years-old, so expectations were through the roof when he returned to his old haunt for the only major this side of the Atlantic in 2019.

"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.

When Rory McIlroy arrived at Royal Portrush six years ago it was meant to be a glorious homecoming for Northern Ireland's most famous sportsman but his British Open hopes lasted only two rounds.