Holywood's Rory McIlroy is one the favourites for The Open while Irish golfer Shane Lowry is hoping to win in Portrush, just like he did in 2019 when the championship was last played at the seaside town. A large wall mural has been painted near the entrance to the golf course marking his triumph.

Open Championship is shaping up to be one of the greatest ever as Grand Slam hero Rory McIlroy returns to Royal Portrush. McIlroy secured his place in golfing history in April by finally

Royal Portrush Golf Club's rich history has been intertwined with the growth of the game in Ireland. From those early days when it was founded back in 1888 to its Royal Patronage some four years later through to the return of the Open in 2019 the links course has iconic status in the golfing world.

When did the Northern Irishman last play Royal Portrush?"Friday the whatever of July 2019," he said, dismissively referring to his second round the last time the event was on the Antrim coast. An event that started with an appalling tee shot and ended with McIlroy missing the cut.

Six years after Shane Lowry's famous victory, the best players in the world will return to the County Antrim coast for the final major of the year next week at the Open Championship.

Ahead of the Scottish Open, McIlroy discussed the importance of major championship venues and how they can apply additional internal pressure and motivation for the best players -- and took a swipe at the PGA of America's new flagship course in the process.

Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in his native Northern Ireland. McIlroy fired a 79 and sat at 8-over after the first day of competition and sat 13 shots off the lead after just the first round.

Rory McIlroy talked up winning a major championship at some of the most iconic venues in the world, but he is seemingly not keen on one future PGA Championship course