It was not quite the glorious homecoming Rory McIlroy had dared to dream of on his return to Royal Portrush but it felt like redemption for Northern Ireland's favourite sporting son after the heartbreak of six years ago.

Shane Lowry opened his campaign at the 153rd Open Championship with a steady one‑under‑par 70 in the first round, navigating Royal Portrush’s tricky links with minimal drama. In round two, he is one-under par through 14 to sit at two‑under overall.