As a 16-year-old at the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush, Rory McIlroy shot a course record 61. That was the old course, before redesign. It's a course he recognizes only parts of now.

McIlroy said Monday that he was overwhelmed by the reception he received six years ago in his home of Northern Ireland. Now a Grand Slam winner, he's ready for this week's championship.

The moment that surprised Rory McIlroy the most when he played the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush—the first Open in his home country of Northern Ireland since 1951—was the ovation on the first tee.