Just 12 hours after finishing runner-up at the Scottish Open to relative PGA Tour newcomer Chris Gotterup, Rory McIlroy took to the first tee at Royal Portrush for his first practice round ahead of the Open Championship.

The tournament takes place in his native Northern Ireland at a course where 16-year-old McIlroy set the course record.

“The fact that I’m here at Portrush with the green jacket, having completed that lifelong dream, I want to do my best this week to enjoy everything that comes my way and enjoy the reaction of the fans and enjoy being in front of them and playing in front of them,” the star golfer said. “But at the same time, I want to win this golf tournament, and I feel like I’m very capable of doing that.”

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Ahead of the year’s final major tournament, McIlroy took a well-deserved rest as he, wife Erica and daughter Poppy enjoyed some time on their new home.

“We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth and have been trying to settle in. It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you,” he revealed ahead of the Scottish Open. “Sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while. Yeah, it’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year. Obviously we have this week in Scotland and then a massive week next week in Portrush.”

After capping off the career grand slam with his win at the Masters in April, he admitted his mindset changed.

“Yeah, you know, it’s my first realistic chance to win after the Masters, and I’ve had a great season. I won at Pebble. I won [the Players Championship]. I said this, when you do something that you’ve been dreaming your whole life to do, it was a huge moment in my life, my career,” he revealed before the final round of the Scottish Open. “The I think I just needed that little bit of time. And to be back here for last couple weeks, and feel like I could actually digest all of it, I feel like I came to this tournament with renewed enthusiasm and excitement for the rest of the year.”

The last time the Open Championship was played at Royal Portrush, McIlroy failed to make the cut after firing an 8-over, 79 in the first round despite an impressive 6-under, 65 in the second round as he missed the weekend by one shot.

Irishman Shane Lowry won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush by six shots over Tommy Fleetwood.