So here is our final major big board of the year, ranking the top 30 golfers in the field. This is not simply the 30 best golfers in a vacuum. These are the 30 golfers that our crack team of Gabby Herzig, Hugh Kellenberger and Brody Miller believe are best suited to win this week at Royal Portrush.

Five-time major champion Rory McIlroy has been criticized by some in media circles for his lack of appearances in front of the camera lately, but one pundit has backed his stance

Rain lashed from above, North Atlantic winds pummeled from the side, and thousands of excited, umbrella-wielding shapes swirled amongst it all, yet the man at the eye of the storm remained entirely unflustered.

That feat was last achieved by Tiger Woods in 2005, when Woods won his fourth Green Jacket in a sudden‑death playoff at Augusta and then went on to dominate The Open at St Andrews, firing rounds of 66‑67‑71‑70 for a 274 (−14) total to win by five strokes.

Xander Schauffele will look to defend his British Open title against a field led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler when the 153rd Open Championship begins at Royal Portrush on Thursday.

While Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph earned him a long-awaited career grand slam, a home Open Championship win at Royal Portrush could be even more emotion for the North Irishman.

In the past few years, the Fields Ranch East course in Frisco has hosted two major tournaments. But that's not enough history for McIlroy yet.

Follow live as golf’s oldest major begins at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland with all eyes on local star Rory McIlroy