Backspin: His year was slowed by a rib injury that kept him out for two months. Padraig Harrington (2007-08), Tiger Woods (2005-06) and Tom Watson (1982-83) are the only back-to-back Open champions the last 50 years.

Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the site of Shane Lowry's triumph in 2019. As has been the case all year, the strong favorites entering the tournament are Scottie Scheffler (9/2) and Rory McIlroy (7-1).

PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy turns heads with bold outfit in return to Royal Portrush ahead of The Open Championship.

Gotterup held on late Sunday to top McIlroy and the rest of the field and win the Genesis Scottish Open. That marked his second career PGA Tour win and earned the 25-year-old one of the final spots into next week's British Open.

The world No. 2 finished runner-up at the Genesis Scottish Open, gaining momentum for next week's British Open in his native homeland.

Winning the Masters to complete a career Grand Sam was a magical moment for Rory McIlroy but he has admitted holding the Claret Jug aloft at Royal Portrush on Sunday evening would be ‘just as emotional’.