If we were feeling especially dramatic, that might be the way we'd describe the scene on the first tee Thursday afternoon at around 3:10 p.m. British Standard Time, when Rory McIlroy hit what can be reasonably described as the most anticipated first tee shot of 2025.

The final major of the golfing year takes place this week as the Open Championship takes place at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland – with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood both teeing off

You see the crowds, cameras and childlike excitement before you see Rory McIlroy – the local hero is somewhere in there applying the finishing touches to his game on the putting green before making the short walk over to the first tee.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — The moment that surprised Rory McIlroy the most when he played the 2019 Britidh Open at Royal Portrush—the first Open held in his home country of Northern Ireland since 1951—was the ovation on the first tee.

The 153rd Open Championship teed off at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland, featuring golf's elite like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jon Rahm. McIlroy expressed excitement about playing on home soil.

Rory McIlroy has been tipped to compete at the top level for another decade before he even contemplates retirement. The Northern Irishman will tee off at the Open Championship at 3.10pm this afternoon, as he bids to win his sixth major title at Royal Portrush.

The last time the British Open came to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy missed the cut. Will he claim his second major of the year this time around?

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.