Rory McIlroy is back at Royal Portrush and feeling plenty of love as the Masters champion. It's far different from when the British Open was last held in Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy rarely got to play in Northern Ireland as a pro before the 2019 Open Championship was staged at Royal Portrush Golf Club. He remembers the internal pressure when he arrived for his tee time that Thursday -- the pressure of wanting to be the hero for his country.

As the Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush, those who say Rory McIlroy shoot a record 61 around the course as a 16-year-old remember it as the day he went to "the next level" in his career.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — The British Open at Royal Portrush started Thursday the way the last one ended: A packed grandstand and throaty cheers for an Irish golfer.

So as players left Royal Portrush after practice was suspended Monday, many of us remained on the course, confident in our decisions. Ten minutes later, what was blue above gave way to gray. There would be no skirting past.