While Rory McIlroy’s Northern Ireland homecoming didn’t have the fairytale finish of winning a second Claret Jug at Royal Portrush, the atmosphere surrounding his return was still the highlight of an unforgettable Open Championship.

It wasn’t to be for the Masters champion, his diminishing chances put to bed by a definitive double bogey at the start of Sunday's back nine. Instead he doffed his cap to the World No.1

Rory McIlroy said he had enjoyed an "awesome week" back in Northern Ireland, even if his charge to win the British Open for a second time fell short on Sunday.

There’s a clear No. 1 and No. 2 in the world golf rankings right now: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. Both have had outstanding 2025 campaigns, but over the last four days—despite The Open Championship serving as a homecoming for McIlroy in Northern Ireland—it was all Scheffler.

The Open Championship isn't over. McIlroy and everyone else in contention have to believe they have a chance. But they're chasing a guy who's almost impossible to catch.

The hometown hero is back at Royal Portrush, but Rory McIlroy was poor off the tee again as the Open Championship rolls on.

How to watch every single shot from the biggest names in golf throughout Round 2 at the 2025 Open Championship

Rory McIlroy said he will need to turn flashes of brilliance into firing on all cylinders for his final two rounds as he aims to win the British Open on home soil at Royal Portrush.

With one swish of his wedge, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough to the right of the fairway on the 11th hole but also dug out another ball that had been buried underneath the turf, unbeknownst to him.