McIlroy is in a relaxed mood ahead of the year's final men's major at Royal Portrush, where he failed to make the cut in 2019

Lee Trevino had a joke for Rory McIlroy after hearing about McIlroy's failed driver test. Trevino told it ahead of the Open Championship.

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.

A two-story mural depicting a precocious Rory McIlroy in 2012 has seen such better days that you can barely tell it is the Grand Slam golfer anymore

The field also includes 49 of the world's top 50 players, from Scottie Scheffler to Rory McIlroy, ranked No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, 16 past winners, and 19 top players from the Liv Golf, the Arab Super League.

Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond is not one for the limelight, but his willingness to speak ahead of The Open at Royal Portrush spoke volumes about the mood in the McIlroy camp

Two-time major winner Tony Jacklin CBE has predicted Scottie Scheffler will win The 2025 Open, which starts today. Groupings and tee times for the 153rd Open were announced on Tuesday, and the defending champion Xander Schauffele will be grouped with the former world No.

The galleries were five thick around Royal Portrush's ninth green and cries of 'Bring it Home Rory' filled the Causeway Coast air as Northern Ireland's favourite sporting son went about his business on Wednesday.

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.

Rory McIlroy generously gave up his time to sign flags for children watching Tuesday's practice rounds at The Open Championship, but he had some firm words for some autographs hunters