The Open Championship isn't over. McIlroy and everyone else in contention have to believe they have a chance. But they're chasing a guy who's almost impossible to catch.

The final day dawns at Royal Portrush as the 153rd Open Championship is set for a grandstand finish on the Dunluce Links.

Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.

Disaster on the first when the championship returned to the county Antrim golf course six years ago has made the field very wary as they begin their rounds

Six years ago at Royal Portrush, McIlroy, who grew up less than an hour away, hit his opening shot out of bounds on the par-4 first on his way to a quadruple-bogey 8 and a 79. He pulled his tee shot again, this time around, but it settled safely in the left rough.

Rory McIlroy attended the Association of Golf Writers dinner on Tuesday evening and was decked out in green — Masters green.

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.