Rory McIlroy’s walk up the 18th hole at Royal Portrush six years ago was the cruelest of sneak previews. A chance to see what it might look like, what it might feel like. The crowd surrounding the final green during the second round of the 2019 Open Championship welcomed the then-30-year-old with an applause that only your own can produce.

Rory McIlroy entered the third round at The Open Championship at his home country's Royal Portrush Golf Club on Saturday not looking like he was firmly in conte

Rory McIlroy was safe off the tee on his first hole Thursday at The Open, but his putter let him down. Six years ago at Royal Portrush, McIlroy, who grew up less than an hour away, hit his opening shot out of bounds on the par-4 first on his way to a quadruple-bogey 8 and a 79.