PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – When Rory McIlroy first came to Royal Portrush, he wasn’t the one playing golf. McIlroy would chip and putt on the practice green, but he was there to watch his father, Gerry, play in the North of Ireland Championship. Rory finally played Royal Portrush on his 10th birthday. He met Darren Clarke that day, as well. A few years later, Rory famously set the course record, shooting 61 in the 2005 North of Ireland. The Open’s return to his homeland hasn’t added an untenable burden to his shoulders, though. He likes to remind people that his caddie, Harry Diamond, has played more rounds at Royal Portrush than he has. “I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m playing at home, but I don’t see myself as that center of attention,â€� McIlroy said. RELATED: Tee times | Expert Picks | Power Rankings | Tiger sharpening game | Rory’s 61 at 16 | Five things to know about Royal Portrush | Writers roundtable If McIlroy is not the center of attention, he is undoubtedly one of the favorites. He has four consecutive top-5s in The Open, including a win in The Open. He also has the lowest scoring average in that span (69.0 strokes). He is third in the FedExCup thanks to wins at THE PLAYERS and RBC Canadian Open. McIlroy is trying to become the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1978 to win THE PLAYERS and The Open in the same season. Not only did Rory set the course record (beating a mark once held by Padraig Harrington), but Diamond made it to the final of the 2011 North of Ireland. He lost on the 19th hole. McIlroy said his preparation for this week has been similar to other Open Championships. He played Royal Portrush shortly after last year’s Ryder Cup, then played practice rounds Saturday and Tuesday. He had dinner scheduled with his parents after that Saturday round, but he had to move the reservation up because he spent less time on the course than anticipated. His childhood memories quickly returned, decreasing the amount of prep work he needed to do. “I think I was making it a little bigger in my head than it needed to be. I’ve played this place enough times to know where to miss it, where not to miss it, where the good leaves are,â€� McIlroy said. “No matter if there’s grandstands around of not, … it’s the same golf course.â€� McIlroy grew up about 60 miles south of Portrush, in Holywood. Of the three Northern Irishmen in the field, his ties to the course may be the loosest. Graeme McDowell grew up in Portrush. Darren Clarke lives here and is a member of the club. The Open’s return after a 68-year absence is important step for a country trying to recover from a long-standing sectarian divide, but McIlroy’s life has largely been untouched by The Troubles.  He knows this week’s significance extends beyond golf, but the enthusiasm that produced the first sell-out in Open history could help. “I can’t just put the blinkers on and pretend that’s not all going on. One of my sort of mantras this week is: Look around and smell the roses,â€� McIlroy said. “This is a wonderful thing for this country and golf in general. And to be quite a big part of it is an honor and a privilege. And I want to keep reminding myself of that, that this is bigger than me, right? This is bigger than me. “I think if you can look at the bigger picture and you can see that, it sort of takes a little bit of the pressure off. I still want to play well and concentrate and do all the right things, but at the same time just having that perspective might just make me relax a little bit more.â€�
Rory McIlroy’s relationship with Royal Portrush
Tired of betting on your favorite sports? Check out some casino game at Intertops! Here’s a list of Intertops casino bonus codes that will get you started with some nice bonuses. |
The Galleri Classic | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Steve Stricker | +350 |
Steven Alker | +650 |
Miguel Angel Jimenez | +1100 |
Jerry Kelly | +1200 |
Stephen Ames | +1400 |
Ernie Els | +1600 |
Alex Cejka | +1800 |
Brian Gay | +2000 |
KJ Choi | +2500 |
Kevin Sutherland | +2500 |
Click here for more… | |
1st Round 3-Balls – R. Pampling / D. Barron / S. Flesch | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Doug Barron | +140 |
Rod Pampling | +150 |
Steve Flesch | +260 |
1st Round 3-Balls – R. Goosen / F. Couples / J. Leonard | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Retief Goosen | +115 |
Justin Leonard | +220 |
Fred Couples | +230 |
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Stricker / D. Clarke / S. Alker | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Steve Stricker | +105 |
Steven Alker | +150 |
Darren Clarke | +400 |
1st Round 3-Balls – D. Toms / M.A. Jimenez / J. Furyk | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Miguel Angel Jimenez | -105 |
David Toms | +180 |
Jim Furyk | +350 |
1st Round 3-Balls – S. Ames / E. Els / T. Jaidee | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stephen Ames | +150 |
Ernie Els | +160 |
Thongchai Jaidee | +220 |
2nd Round Match-Up – L. List v T. Detry | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Luke List | -115 |
Thomas Detry | -105 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – G. Higgo / R. Werenski / B. Burgoon | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Garrick Higgo | +130 |
Bronson Burgoon | +200 |
Richy Werenski | +210 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Hossler / S. Jaeger / C. Young | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stephan Jaeger | +145 |
Beau Hossler | +150 |
Carson Young | +250 |
2nd Round Six-Shooter – Group A – S. Jaeger / A. Bhatia / B. Hossler / A. Novak / A. Rai / C. Davis | |
Type: 2nd Round Six-Shooter – Status: OPEN | |
Stephan Jaeger | +350 |
Beau Hossler | +400 |
Aaron Rai | +425 |
Akshay Bhatia | +425 |
Andrew Novak | +425 |
Cameron Davis | +500 |
2nd Round Match-Up – N. Dunlap vs G. Higgo | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Garrick Higgo | -110 |
Nick Dunlap | -110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – B. Hossler vs A. Rai | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Aaron Rai | -110 |
Beau Hossler | -110 |
1st Round 3-Balls – J. Kelly / V. Singh / J. Durant | |
Type: 1st Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Jerry Kelly | +105 |
Vijay Singh | +225 |
Joe Durant | +240 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Hubbard v J. Dahmen | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Mark Hubbard | -115 |
Joel Dahmen | -105 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. NeSmith v P. Coody | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Matt NeSmith | -140 |
Pierceson Coody | +115 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Montgomery / H. Hall / R. Fox | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Montgomery | +150 |
Ryan Fox | +160 |
Harry Hall | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – A. Baddeley / J. Teater / D. Wu | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Dylan Wu | +140 |
Aaron Baddeley | +170 |
Josh Teater | +230 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – C. Davis / C. Hadley / A. Rai | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Aaron Rai | +130 |
Cam Davis | +180 |
Chesson Hadley | +225 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Hahn / J. Lower / S. Stevens | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Sam Stevens | +150 |
Justin Lower | +160 |
James Hahn | +225 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Svensson vs C. Davis | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Adam Svensson | -120 |
Cam Davis | +100 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – P. Malnati / S. Scheffler / W. Zalatoris | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | -175 |
Will Zalatoris | +260 |
Peter Malnati | +430 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Hardy / T. Moore / C. Reavie | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Moore | +110 |
Nick Hardy | +210 |
Chez Reavie | +240 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Bhatia vs P. Malnati | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Akshay Bhatia | -130 |
Peter Malnati | +110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – T. Moore vs J. Highsmith | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Taylor Moore | -160 |
Joe Highsmith | +135 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – R. Brehm / K. Kisner / S. Cink | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Stewart Cink | +105 |
Ryan Brehm | +220 |
Kevin Kisner | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Knapp / A. Bhatia / A. Svensson | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Akshay Bhatia | +160 |
Jake Knapp | +160 |
Adam Svensson | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Dunlap / L. List / K.H. Lee | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
K H Lee | +150 |
Luke List | +160 |
Nick Dunlap | +230 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Wallace / G. Woodland / B. Snedeker | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Matt Wallace | +120 |
Gary Woodland | +140 |
Brandt Snedeker | +350 |
2nd Round Match-Up – K.H. Lee vs S.H. Kim | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
K H Lee | -130 |
S H Kim | +110 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Laird / A. Cook / M. NeSmith | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Matt NeSmith | +150 |
Martin Laird | +160 |
Austin Cook | +220 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – K. Mitchell / D. Ghim / G. Sigg | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Keith Mitchell | +140 |
Doug Ghim | +170 |
Greyson Sigg | +225 |
2nd Round Match-Up – M. Meissner vs G. Sigg | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Greyson Sigg | -130 |
Mac Meissner | +110 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Novak vs T. Pendrith | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Novak | -125 |
Taylor Pendrith | +105 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – L. Maguire / X. Lin / B. Tardy | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Xiyu Lin | +130 |
Leona Maguire | +160 |
Bailey Tardy | +275 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – J. Dahmen / L. Griffin / K. Chappell | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Joel Dahmen | +110 |
Lanto Griffin | +210 |
Kevin Chappell | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – B. Wu / T. Detry / A. Novak | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Andrew Novak | +150 |
Thomas Detry | +150 |
Brandon Wu | +240 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – M. Lee / B. Henderson / R. Yin | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Brooke Henderson | +175 |
Minjee Lee | +175 |
Ruoning Yin | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – M. Meissner / R. McCormick / C. Hammer | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Mac Meissner | +130 |
Cole Hammer | +200 |
Ryan McCormick | +200 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – Parker Coody / Pierceson Coody / J. Bridgeman | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Parker Coody | +140 |
Jacob Bridgeman | +150 |
Pierceson Coody | +260 |
2nd Round 3-Balls – C. Hull / L. Thompson / A. Lee | |
Type: 2nd Round 3-Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Alison Lee | +145 |
Charley Hull | +160 |
Lexi Thompson | +240 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – D. Skinns / T. Whitney / S. Bennett | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
David Skinns | +175 |
Sam Bennett | +175 |
Tom Whitney | +175 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – N. Xiong / M. Greyserman / P. Fishburn | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Max Greyserman | +135 |
Norman Xiong | +185 |
Patrick Fishburn | +210 |
2nd Round Match-Up – A. Tosti v T. Whitney | |
Type: 2nd Round Match-Up – Status: OPEN | |
Alejandro Tosti | -110 |
Tom Whitney | -110 |
2nd Round 3 Balls – T. Olesen / J. Highsmith / D. van der Walt | |
Type: 2nd Round 3 Balls – Status: OPEN | |
Thorbjorn Olesen | +120 |
Joe Highsmith | +140 |
Dawie Van Der Walt | +350 |
Hero Indian Open | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Keita Nakajima | +150 |
Romain Langasque | +500 |
Joost Luiten | +600 |
Matteo Manassero | +900 |
Jeong Weon Ko | +2000 |
Johannes Veerman | +3000 |
Veer Ahlawat | +3000 |
Fabrizio Zanotti | +4500 |
Jeff Winther | +4500 |
Matthew Jordan | +4500 |
Click here for more… | |
Major Specials 2024 | |
Type: To Win A Major 2024 – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +105 |
Jon Rahm | +225 |
Rory McIlroy | +225 |
Viktor Hovland | +225 |
Brooks Koepka | +350 |
Ludvig Aberg | +350 |
Patrick Cantlay | +400 |
Collin Morikawa | +450 |
Justin Thomas | +450 |
Wyndham Clark | +450 |
Click here for more… | |
The Masters 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +450 |
Rory McIlroy | +1100 |
Jon Rahm | +1200 |
Brooks Koepka | +1800 |
Jordan Spieth | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Hideki Matsuyama | +2500 |
Joaquin Niemann | +2500 |
Justin Thomas | +2500 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2500 |
Click here for more… | |
PGA Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +700 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Viktor Hovland | +1400 |
Brooks Koepka | +1600 |
Bryson DeChambeau | +2000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2000 |
Wyndham Clark | +2000 |
Xander Schauffele | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2500 |
Click here for more… | |
US Open 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +700 |
Rory McIlroy | +800 |
Jon Rahm | +900 |
Viktor Hovland | +1000 |
Cameron Smith | +1600 |
Brooks Koepka | +1800 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2000 |
Patrick Cantlay | +2000 |
Click here for more… | |
The Open Championship 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
Scottie Scheffler | +800 |
Jon Rahm | +1000 |
Rory McIlroy | +1000 |
Viktor Hovland | +1100 |
Brooks Koepka | +2000 |
Cameron Smith | +2000 |
Cameron Young | +2000 |
Collin Morikawa | +2000 |
Jordan Spieth | +2500 |
Ludvig Aberg | +2500 |
Click here for more… | |
Solheim Cup 2024 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -140 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1200 |
Ryder Cup 2025 | |
Type: Winner – Status: OPEN | |
USA | -135 |
Europe | +135 |
Tie | +1000 |