PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy turns heads with bold outfit in return to Royal Portrush ahead of The Open Championship.

Xander Schauffele will look to defend his British Open title against a field led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler when the 153rd Open Championship begins at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

Backspin: His year was slowed by a rib injury that kept him out for two months. Padraig Harrington (2007-08), Tiger Woods (2005-06) and Tom Watson (1982-83) are the only back-to-back Open champions the last 50 years.

If weather is a factor, one of them could have an advantage depending on when it's better, as Scheffler will go out early on Thursday, McIlroy later (and vice versa on Friday). Currently, the forecast for Thursday's Round 1 is rain in the morning, rain in the afternoon, with wind blowing just a bit throughout the day.

A thrilling 2025 golf season has reached its final major with The Open Championship entering its 153rd playing this week at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The oldest golf tournament in the world returns to Portrush for the first time in six years with the Claret Jug set to be awarded on site Sunday for just the third time.

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

Gotterup held on late Sunday to top McIlroy and the rest of the field and win the Genesis Scottish Open. That marked his second career PGA Tour win and earned the 25-year-old one of the final spots into next week's British Open.

Royal Portrush hosts the 153rd edition of The Open Championship, and Northern Ireland’s own Rory McIlroy is among the betting favorites entering the men’s final major of the season. But he’s not THE favorite.