Golf-McIlroy mania heats up as thousands watch practise round

Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 16, 2025 Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy in action during a practice round REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

(Fixes spelling of 'Holywood' in paragraph 3)

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) -The galleries were five thick around Royal Portrush's ninth green and cries of 'Bring it Home Rory' filled the Causeway Coast air as Northern Ireland's favourite sporting son went about his business on Wednesday.