A staggering reception will greet Rory Mcilroy while British Open returns to Royal Portrush and Northern Ireland on Thursday for the first time since the Shane Lowry’s triumph in 2019.

Mcilroy It will be warned by an expected crowd of 200,000 over four days after its 11-year reception ended to complete the Grand Slam career in Masters in April.

But a long list of contenders, including one world number Scottie Scheffler and champion reigning Xander schauuffleStay between the hometown hero and a second Claret container.

“When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was probably more circulating than masters for various reasons,” He told reporters after a practical round on Monday.

“Lovely nice to come here already with a major and everything else that happened this year. I’m excited with the place where my game is.”

Mcilroy will be desperate at least to put in a better show than in 2019 when he opened his tour with a devastating quadrilateral on his way to a 79s of the first round, losing the cut despite a second round accusation.

“Golf on Thursday feels like a blur. I try to forget that part of it,” Said the 36-year-old, who fired a 61 in Portrush 20 years ago.

“But I remember running on Friday. I remember making an accusation and made a run to try to make the cut, and I hit a 6-hook in the 14th, second shot, and I remember the noise from the crowd …

“It was really special.”

Mcilroy will play the first two rounds along with the four world number Justin Thomas and England Tommy Fleetwoodleaving 3:10 pm with local time on Thursday.

Schauffle looking for the best

Schauffle was undoubtedly one of the two most shape players in the world, along with Scheffler when he withdrew his second major title of 2024 in Troon 12 months ago.

The American has not posted a five-end Top this year, and has admitted that he is fighting for pace.

A tie-up attempt at Scottish Open in North Berwick last weekend provided a glow of hope that being again in connections could help him rediscover his shape.

“I think I had a better understanding of what I was doing, which was useful when I was hitting bad shots,” he said of his efforts in Scotland.

The last 11 steps have produced champions for the first time, with the last earlier winner that raised the trophy Ernie In 2012.

Scheffler is one of the players who hopes the trend continues.

The 29-year-old is the title favorite as he jumped back from a slow start without a characteristic of the season.

The big champion three times ended in the first 10 places in each of its 10 -year -old beginnings, winning three times including the PGA championship.

“I couldn’t care less about being a favorite or not being a favorite,” said Scheffler. “We all start before and the tour starts on Thursday. That’s almost everything that matters.”

Lowry sparked the jubilee scene with his sensational triumph with six shots six years ago when the island of Ireland waited for the first time in 68 years.

The Irishman is still waiting for a second big title, despite a series of nearby mistakes.

“I’m a Golf Better than I was in 2019,” He said.

“But that doesn’t mean I will go out and win with seven this year in sixth place.

“Just just golf; that’s the way it is. I guess, like a golf player, you always have to look at it as the cup is always half full. You can’t see it in any other way.”

Extension 7,381-Oborri, par 71 will provide a difficult test, with rainy and breeze predictions for all four days.

Twice Padraig Harrington of Ireland will hit the opening open at 6:35 am with local time, playing with young Ireland Tom McKibbin and Denmark Nicolai Hojgaard.