McIlroy returns home to Ireland, ready to embrace the love

RORY McIlroy practically had Royal Portrush all to himself Monday morning, but not for long. By the time he finished his first practice round for the British Open, his first time back on these links in 2,187 days, there was a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine to see him finish. The circumstances are far different now.

- AGENCIES @ Portrush (N Ireland)

McIlroy remembers being ill-prepared for the wave of emotions that hit him on the first tee in 2019. He has tried to forget the opening tee shot that sailed out-of-bounds and led to a quadruple bogey. And there was thunderous support for him on that Friday when he made a furious rally only to miss the cut by one shot. On Monday, he walked over to dozens of spectators wanting his autograph, including on one large flag of his native Northern Ireland with emblems