It was a return six years in the making, and it was a return that perfectly encapsulated Rory McIlroy. Making the trek back to Royal Portrush for The Open Championship -- now as a career grand slam winner -- the Northern Irishman experienced a topsy-turvy day as the hard stuff came easy and the easy stuff came hard.

Scottie Scheffler's candid comments on the emptiness of winning found support from U.S. Open champion JJ Spaun, sparking emotional reflections before The Open.