PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — Rory McIlroy practically had Royal Portrush all to himself Monday morning, but not for long. By the time he finished his first practice round for the British Open — his first time back on these links in 2,187 days — there was a big crowd that weathered rain and sunshine to see him finish.

McIlroy returns home as he goes in search of a second Claret Jug but had plans that involved his green jacket.

HOLYWOOD, Northern Ireland — Two decades before Rory McIlroy’s career-defining triumph, when he finally conquered his Masters demons with an emotional rollercoaster of a win at Augusta National, he did, in fact, already own a green jacket.

After a decade-long chase, the Northern Irishman finally completed golf's career Grand Slam at Augusta — then experienced the psychological letdown that psychologists say commonly follows the achievement of a lifelong goal.

At the moment the players who have lifted the most coveted trophies in golf are Rory McIlroy (Masters), Scottie Scheffler (PGA Championship) and J.J. Spaun (U.S. Open). If I’d told you this was the case back in March then you would have had no issue believing that Rory and Scottie took home majors,

Rory McIlroy came within a whisker of his second Genesis Scottish Open title, but ultimately finished two strokes behind a surprising winner.

The world No. 2 finished runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open, gaining momentum for next week's British Open in his native homeland.