Follow live as golf’s oldest major begins at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland with all eyes on local star Rory McIlroy

Here's what to know about McIlroy's roots, from his hometown and upbringing, to his young golf career before he emerged as one of the best players in the world. McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1989. His father was also from Holywood, while his mother was from Lurgan, County Armagh.

“I’m going to say this to Rory: Rory, I love everything you’re doing,” McAfee said Wednesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show. “You walk up to the media and tell them to kiss your ass. You do whatever you need to do, buddy. It is great whenever you’re playing incredible golf. If you need to take some time, you need to take some time.”

The Open Championship got underway at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Co. Antrim on Thursday and Rory McIlroy has been welcomed back in classic Paddy Power style. The Irish bookmaker, notorious for displaying gag signs at major sporting events,

Rory McIlroy is currently playing in The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. A popular LIV golfer ended up previewing the Northern Irishman's start at this prestigious golf major.

Just 12 hours after finishing runner-up at the Scottish Open to relative PGA Tour newcomer Chris Gotterup, Rory McIlroy took to the first tee at Royal Portrush for his first practice round ahead of the Open Championship. The tournament takes place in his native Northern Ireland at a course where 16-year-old McIlroy set the course record.

Rory McIlroy, fresh from completing his career Grand Slam, knows all too well the perils of Hughie's hole after a disastrous start in the previous Open held there. In 2019, the five-time major champion's first drive disastrously veered left into the out-of-bounds, culminating in a quadruple bogey eight that set a grim tone for the rest of his play.

Shocked by the strength of the reception that greeted the returning hero at the start of the 2019 Open, McIlroy famously fired out of bounds off the tee, took eight shots to get the ball in the hole and went on to card a 79.