New programme shines light on Rory's pain in Portrush

RORY Mcllroy revisited his Portrush nightmare for a new Sky Sports documentary a week before the British Open returns to the Dunluce Links.

- By MICHAEL SCULLY

McIlroy, who is in action in the Scottish Open this week, will return to the venue as a Grand Slam winner.

And the 35-year-old will be determined to put his disastrous opening round from 2019 on the famous Co Antrim course behind him, when he shot eight-over par 79.

What transpired was all the more shocking for the fact he had shot a course record 61 there as a 16 year old.

McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who went on to win his first major, recalled that dramatic week in 'This Is Open Country' a documentary produced by award-winning Irish filmmakers Ross Whitaker and Bob Caldwell that charts Ireland's incredible success at the British Open.

"I knew the pressure that was on Rory in a big way," said Lowry.

"He said to me, 'Shane, this is only the biggest tournament that I'm ever going to play'.

"I could tell that he was probably putting too much pressure on himself."

McIlroy recalled feeling good going into the week that had him positioned as the returning hero, given his status as a four-time major winner for the tournament's first Portrush staging since 1951.

"I was hitting the ball nicely and playing well," he said.