“The story certainly isn't over” — McIlroy ready to make more history in The Open

Pádraig Harrington will hit the first tee shot in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush on Thursday, still searching for perfection and battling the same demons that have lurked in the shadows of his golfing life for the best part of 40 years.

Rory McIlroy arrived at Royal Portrush determined to prove he’s back to his best after his post-Masters malaise and ready to write another glorious chapter in his glittering career story.

The world number two will receive a hero’s welcome when he bids to put his missed cut in 2019 behind him on Thursday and add to his legend by capturing The 153rd Open and his sixth major title.

While he’s been described as the greatest sportsperson ever produced by Northern Ireland, McIlroy doesn’t see this week’s Open Championship as a belated Masters and career Grand Slam victory parade but another chance to etch his name in the history books.

“I'll let other people make that determination,” he said when asked how it felt to be described as Northern Ireland’s greatest sporting hero.  “I try to go about my business. I try to give the best of myself every time I'm out there. It's amounted to some pretty nice things so far.

“As I said at the start of this, I still feel like there's a lot left in there.

“The story certainly isn't over.

He knows he’s got more Mt Everests to climb in his career and this week remains one of them.

“When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably circled, even more so than the Masters for different reasons,”  he said

“It's lovely to be coming in here already with a major and everything else that's happened this year.

“I'm excited with where my game is. I felt like I showed some really good signs (finishing second in the Scottish Open ) last week.  “I feel like I'm in a good spot and not that last week was a pure preparation week, but I definitely feel like it put me in a good spot heading into here.”