While there is always a huge amount of attention on Rory McIlroy at any major tournament, there will be even more interest on how the 35-year old fares during The Open at Royal Troon this week.
McIlroy took some time off after his collapse at the US Open last month, making his return at the Scottish Open last week. He would perform well at that event, although his display over the coming days will be watched very closely.
It will certainly be interesting to see if he retains any scars from the way the tournament at Pinehurst ending, with the Holywood native squandering a golden opportunity to end his decade-long major drought.
He received quite a bit of criticism on the back of that, something that annoyed some of his peers.
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Shane Lowry Names Aspect Of Rory McIlroy Criticism That Drove Him 'Insane'
Shane Lowry has grown very close to Rory McIlroy over the last number of years, with the pair having competed as teammates at the Olympics, Ryder Cup, and PGA Tour events. They also spend quite a bit of time together off the course.
Speaking ahead of The Open, the Offaly man admitted that there was one aspect of the criticism recieved by McIlroy in recent times that drove him 'insane'.
It's the one thing that really drives me insane.
I watched Rory and watched him miss those two putts and not win, and then you have people criticising him and Harry, which is, I mean, it really makes my blood boil.
Harry Diamond is the best person in the world to caddie for Rory McIlroy, and I see it week in and week out. He works harder than any of the caddies out here.
He’s always here before him, walking the courses; he's there for him, and even though he's not in the middle of the tee box like all these caddies who want to be on TV talking loud and telling Rory what to do, he still makes his voice heard. Until you live that moment and that situation, you never know how it is.
When Rory hit that chip shot on 18, I knew putt would be very difficult. I had that putt from 20 feet up the hill, so I knew it would be very difficult, he just couldn't play enough break on it.
It was one of those things and I'm sure he's thought of it for the last while. Like I say, honestly, I've lived the situation. I don't think anybody is fit to comment on it.
Rory McIlroy's caddie Harry Diamond received quite a bit of criticism in the aftermath of the US Open, with some claiming that he should have done more to help the golfer get over the line.
McIlroy clapped back at those comments in recent times, while it seems as though Shane Lowry was also a bit peeved by the narrative that emerged after the tournament.
Of course, a win at The Open this week would quickly put that narrative to bed.
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