Darren Clarke is contemplating saying goodbye to The Open at Royal Portrush next year but he also expects the “conundrum” that is Rory McIlroy to be a factor on home soil.

Every warrior bears the scars of battle and Shane Lowry believes he has thick enough skin now to deal with the vagaries of links golf as he chases his second Claret Jug at Royal Troon this weekend.

Rory McIlroy says he “can’t wait” to watch Shane Lowry bid for his second Claret Jug this weekend and turned his thoughts to a vacation and the Olympic Games after turning in the second-worst major performance of his major career at Royal Troon.

Pádraig Harrington overcame an ice-cold putter to make the cut in The Open and insisted he has no intention of retiring yet as he renewed his belief he can compete with the young guns.

Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald and winning 2014 captain Paul McGinley were seriously impressed by Shane Lowry’s charge to the top in The Open.

The question was pointed and Rory McIlroy rolled his eyes to the left and then upwards.

Shane Lowry vowed to keep his foot on the gas after he carded a sensational five-under 66 to grab the clubhouse round lead in The Open at Royal Troon.

Tom McKibbin walked away disappointed with his Open debut as he failed to capitalise on a one-under front nine and opened with a two-over 73 at Royal Troon.

Shane Lowry doesn’t know what lies in store for him at Royal Troon, but he insists he feels as good as he did before he claimed his first major win at Royal Portrush five years ago.

Shane Lowry wants his second Claret Jug at Royal Troon this week but he’s also pulling for Rory McIlroy and his caddie after admitting the criticism they received after last month’s US Open heartbreak “made my blood boil.”

Tom McKibbin got the perfect trial run for his 6:46 am tee time on Thursday when he played a practice round with heroes Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke at Royal Troon.

Leona Maguire has parted company with caddie Dermot Byrne after three years together.

Galway amateur Liam Nolan is living the dream at The Open, but he also received a swift reminder of what awaits him in the professional ranks after a practice round with Open champions Pádraig Harrington and Shane Lowry.

Rory McIlroy needs to produce some final-round fireworks to retain his Genesis Scottish Open title after a poor finish left him five shots behind Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg.

Rory McIlroy may need to find his A-game today if he’s to go into Sunday with a chance to retain his Genesis Scottish Open title at The Renaissance Club.