While Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph earned him a long-awaited career grand slam, a home Open Championship win at Royal Portrush could be even more emotion for the North Irishman.

Rory McIlroy attended the Association of Golf Writers dinner on Tuesday evening and was decked out in green — Masters green.

The first time that Royal Portrush hosted the Open Championship since 1951, there was heaps of pressure on McIlroy, the biggest sporting star from Northern Ireland since George Best played for Manchester United in the 1960s and 70s, to win. He shot a 79 on Thursday.

Rory McIlroy is setting his sights on redemption at this week's Open Championship, aiming to erase the memories of his harrowing 2019 experience at Royal Portrush. Since his disastrous collapse under intense local expectation — which saw him miss the cut after kicking off with a quadruple-bogey on the initial hole — it's his first time back at the famed Northern Ireland course.

Rory McIlroy celebrated his sixth AGW Golfer of the Year award in his iconic green jacket ahead of his Open Championship fight.

What time does Rory McIlroy tee off at The Open? Start times, how to watch, prize money and latest odds - Masters champion targeting second career Claret Jug on home turf in Northern Ireland

McIlroy is working on fumes after heading directly from the Scottish Open to his Open practice round on Monday

Rory McIlroy returns home to Northern Ireland as the fans want to see him end a more special year on a spectacular note.