For Rory, no obvious time-out has happened between Augusta and Portrush. To what extent that summit descent has been choreographed by Team McIlroy remains to be seen. Somewhere between the Giants Causeway and the Claret Jug,

Rory McIlroy's demeanour was telling during his Tuesday practice round ahead of The Open Championship, cutting a relaxed figure at Royal Portrush as he played with Tom McKibbin and Darren Clarke

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

The biggest win of Chris Gotterup's career brought an emotional response. Gotterup shot a 4-under par 66 to outduel Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy and win the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday at North Berwick,

Rory McIlroy insists the emotion of his return to Royal Portrush for this week's British Open will not distract him from challenging for the title.

Chris Gotterup carded a four-under-par round of 66 to finish at 15-under and win the Genesis Scottish Open by two shots. Gotterup, who books his place at The Open at Royal Portrush this week with the triumph,