The second round of The Open begins on Friday with home favourite Rory McIlroy out early and right in contention to win a second Claret Jug at Royal Portrush. McIlroy carded a first round of 70 to sit at -1 and just one shot back,

Day two of The 153rd Open Championship has commenced at Royal Portrush as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry aim to work their way up the leaderboard. Both McIlroy and Lowry finished day one on one-under-par, leaving them three shots off the the leaders.

McIlroy ejected on the first hole and ultimately missed the cut when The Open was last played in his home country of Northern Ireland

McIlroy scrapped on Thursday to end -1 and three shots behind the leaders, with Scottie Scheffler and Tyrrell Hatton just one stroke back heading into Friday’s second round

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.

"It's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times," Rory McIlroy said of his return to Royal Portrush for the British Open.

The Open Championship got underway at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Co. Antrim on Thursday and Rory McIlroy has been welcomed back in classic Paddy Power style. The Irish bookmaker, notorious for displaying gag signs at major sporting events,