Rory McIlroy’s homecoming could be off to a rocky start with thunderstorms expected around his opening tee time at Royal Portrush.
The Northern Irishman, who missed the cut when The Open was last played at the course in 2019, is desperate to star in his native country.
McIlroy is playing on home soil for the first time since completing the career Grand Slam at The Masters in April.
The 36-year-old has publicly admitted to struggling for motivation in the events since ending an 11-year wait for an elusive fifth major title.
An opportunity to lift the Claret Jug in Northern Ireland has given the world No.2 the perfect platform to refocus this week.
However, his progress may be disrupted by incoming thunderstorms, with the worst of the weather expected at around 3pm.
McIlroy is in the late-early wave and set to tee off at 3:10pm, which could be delayed if bad weather does indeed hit the famous Northern Ireland links.
Andrew Johnston, who finished eighth at the 2016 tournament, has already predicted the Americans could struggle in the conditions.
Asked what Scottie Scheffler and co could struggle with, Beef told talkSPORT: “Oh especially the weather – you can come over here and think it’s summertime but it could be like 10 degrees, rain coming in sideways.
“It gets cold and maybe they haven’t had that kind of weather. It’s so different. They feel the cold.
“It can definitely sort of give you a wake-up call, that’s for sure.
“It’s the change in how far the ball goes as well if it’s cold and it’s windy.
Recent Open Champions
2024: Xander Schauffele, Royal Troon
2023: Brian Harman, Royal Liverpool
2022: Cameron Smith, St Andrews
2021: Collin Morikawa, Royal St George’s
2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Shane Lowry, Royal Portrush
2018: Francesco Molinari, Carnoustie
2017: Jordan Spieth, Royal Birkdale
2016: Henrik Stenson, Royal Troon
2015: Zach Johnson, St Andrews
“They could be playing in America and it could be 30 odd degrees and they’re hitting a nine iron 160 yards. And all of a sudden they’re going to be hitting it 140 with a bit of wind. It’s such a big change.
“You have to grasp that really quickly if you haven’t come over and played a few links courses.”
McIlroy alluded to the inclement weather conditions during his final practice round at Portrush this week.
Having posed for some photos behind the fifth green in the sunshine, he joked: “It’s like this every day in Northern Ireland.”
McIlroy’s relaxed demeanour will hopefully mean he won’t be set to replicate his disastrous 2019 outing, regardless of any stormy weather.
The hometown hero finished second at the Scottish Open on Sunday and broke the course record around this track when he was just 16.
But his 2019 homecoming turned into a nightmare with a quad-bogey eight on the first hole, ending his hopes of success before they had even begun.
McIlroy will try to channel memories of his electrifying second-round 65 and learn from his experiences in pursuit of a fairytale win.
“This was the tournament that was circled, even more so than The Masters,” McIlroy revealed in his pre-tournament press conference.
On what it means to be back at Royal Portrush, he added: “It means an awful lot [being back home].
“It’s weird, it doesn’t feel like six years have passed since 2019. It’s cool that Portrush has the chance to host again. It’s great to be back.
“I don’t spend a lot of time here anymore with living abroad and travel schedules.
“It’s very nice to be back, and I’m looking forward to this week.”
talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary of The 153rd Open from Royal Portrush this week.
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