By the time Rory McIlroy finished his first practice round for the British Open at Royal Portrush, a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine was waiting to see him finish.

Is Scottie Scheffler still the clear No. 1 entering The Open? Is Rory McIlroy ready to win in Northern Ireland?

From Scottie Scheffler's philosophical press conference to a walk around Royal Portrush with Northern Ireland's favorite pros, get caught up.

Rory McIlroy Sends Clear Message on The Open originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Gotterup finished two shots clear of McIlroy and Marco Penge to earn his second PGA Tour title and earn a major championship berth.

Fans were still trickling onto the grounds and no other player was within sight as McIlroy plotted his way around a golf course where he still owns the course record -- a 61 when he was just 16 years old.

Rory McIlroy couldn’t hide his disdain for the conditions at the Scottish Open. “The greens are so s–t,” McIlroy said Sunday on a hot mic as he missed a putt wide during his final round at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick,