McIlroy ejected on the first hole and ultimately missed the cut when The Open was last played in his home country of Northern Ireland

McIlroy said Monday that he was overwhelmed by the reception he received six years ago in his home of Northern Ireland. Now a Grand Slam winner, he's ready for this week's championship.

McIlroy, who won the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool, was fancied to complete a fairytale victory only to have his dreams dashed by an opening-round 7 9 which started with a tee shot which flew out of bounds leading to a quadruple bogey from which he never recovered, missing the cut by one shot.