Royal Portrush will host the 153rd Open Championship for only the third time in its history. Six years ago Irishman Shane Lowry made his major breakthrough, a popular winner once home favourite Rory McIlroy missed the cut. Here the PA news agency looks at this year’s event in Northern Ireland.

Knapp is loving links golf so much he'd like to extend his stay another week, and he took a step toward that Thursday with a 6-under 64 that put him in a four-way share of the lead.

Rory McIlroy shook off a slow start and tricky winds to close his opening round at the Scottish Open on a high note.

Rory McIlroy blitzed Royal Portrush’s Dunluce Links with a course-record 11-under 61 in 2005. For many, it confirmed all the hype about McIlroy.

Rory McIlroy showed the utmost respect for the sporting longevity he himself has achieved and gave examples of stars from other sports in comparison.

After a decade-long chase, the Northern Irishman finally completed golf's career Grand Slam at Augusta — then experienced the psychological letdown that psychologists say commonly follows the achievement of a lifelong goal.