IT'S COMING HOME...

Rorymania grips Ireland as relaxed Mcllroy poses for pictures and jokes about his new haircut with partisan crowd desperate to see him lift Claret Jug

- By NEIL MCLEMAN in Portrush X@NeilMcLeman

RORY MCILROY was so relaxed during his final Royal Portrush practice round yesterday that he sat on the bench behind the fifth green to pose for pictures in the sunshine.

"It's like this every day in Northern Ireland," he beamed.

And the Masters champion was in equally good form when he donned his Green Jacket to accept an award at the Association of Golf Writers Annual Dinner on Tuesday night.

Asked about his brutally short hair cut, McIlroy (circle) laughed: “It is for the summer. It will grow back thankfully-I have still got decent genetics.

“It is going a little grey. It will be the perfect length for the Ryder Cup in September!”

It is quite a contrast from 2019 when the Ulsterman tried to treat his home Open as just another tournament.