Rory McIlroy claims winning The Open on home turf in Portrush would be ‘stuff that dreams are made of'
The Holywood hotshot guaranteed 2025 is a year to remember after becoming only the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam at April's Masters.
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McIlroy begins his tournament at 3.10pm today
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Fans flocked in their masses to watch McIlroy in the Wednesday previews
And he gave his fans a thrill by wearing his Green Jacket to Portrush as he collected the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers.
McIlroy, 36, said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace.
'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.'
McIlroy, who starts his bid for Open glory at 3.10pm today, was mobbed walking across the first fairway for the awards, prompting chants of 'Rory, Rory'.
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He revealed how much it would mean to lift the Claret Jug for a second time after victory at Hoylake in 2014.
McIlroy also wants to make amends for his Portrush Open flop in 2019 when he missed the cut.
He said: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major.
'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.'
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Pointing at his Green Jacket for winning The Masters, he said: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now.
'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.'
'People's champ' Bryson DeChambeau delights Open fans with classy gesture as they say 'how can you not love this guy?'
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