All to play for

Rory McIlroy spent 11 years trying to conquer his Everest and compete the career Grand Slam.

When he finally achieved it at Augusta in April, the question became what target could possibly drive him on in the same way as becoming one of just six men to win every major?

Fortunately for McIlroy, an Open Championship on his hometown course was a matter of months away. Now, as crowds gather for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, McIlroy has found his next challenge.

“I climbed my Everest in April, and I think after you do something like that, you've got to make your way back down, and you've got to look for another mountain to climb,” he said. “An Open at Portrush is certainly one of those.”

It is just six years since The Open was last played on the Dunluce course at Royal Portrush, ending a 68-year absence from Northern Ireland.

What many hoped would be a fairy tale homecoming for McIlroy, back where he shot a course record 61 as a 16-year-old, quickly turned into a nightmare.

His challenge ended almost as soon as it began, a quadruple bogey at the first and an eight-over 79 first round ending any hopes of lifting the Claret Jug for the second time.

Instead, it was McIlroy’s great friend Shane Lowry who was crowned Champion Golfer, winning his first major by six strokes from Tommy Fleetwood. With the course having been remodelled to welcome back The Open, McIlroy’s record could not be beaten.

Lowry chose the Saturday in 2019 to set a new mark on the new course, shooting a remarkable 63 which took him from a share of the lead with JB Holmes to four shots clear heading into the final round.

Unlike at Oakmont at the US Open three years previously, Lowry never looked like relinquishing his lead and ended up triumphing by the largest winning margin in nine years. Both Lowry and McIlroy will return to Royal Portrush with dreams of lifting the Claret Jug.

Their form certainly suggests they should be in the mix, but recent Open history is not quite such a positive omen.

No European has won golf’s original major since Lowry with a trio of Americans, Collin Morikawa, Brian Harman and Xander Schauffele combining for three of the last four Open titles – Cameron Smith of Australia the exception to that rule in 2022.

Could that trend continue with Scottie Scheffler winning a second major this year after his PGA success at Quails Hollow? If he does so, he would be the first world No.1 to lift the Claret Jug since Tiger Woods at Royal Liverpool in 2006.

Perhaps JJ Spaun can ride the wave of momentum of his US Open triumph at Oakmont, or maybe Tommy Fleetwood will finally end his quest for a major back on the course where he was runner-up six years ago.

And what of those who came through Final Qualifying on a day of high drama? Lee Westwood is back for his 28th Open after three years away, while Estonia will be represented for the first time as Richard Teder arrives riding the crest of a wave following his qualification with a chip-in eagle during a play-off at West Lancashire.

One thing is for sure, whoever is crowned Champion Golfer next Sunday will need to keep their head on the 16th on each of the four days. If Calamity Corner lives up to its name, it could leave multiple title dreams in ruins.

As ever at The Open, the weather will play its part, although that will not stop the crowds from pouring through the gates to take in all the action. A record number – 278,000 – have tickets, the most of any Open outside St Andrews.

So whether it is McIlroy, Lowry again or someone else, you won’t want to miss a shot.