Rory McIlroy's legion of fans came in hope more than expectation to the final day of the British Open at Royal Portrush.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy says he got "everything I wanted but the Claret Jug" from the Open Championship's return to Royal Portrush.

The Claret Jug is the iconic trophy awarded to the British Open champion and one of golf’s most celebrated prizes.

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.

If McIlroy didn’t quite deliver, then Royal Portrush — where he shot 61 as a 16-year-old for the course record — certainly did, gaining widespread rave reviews.

The Claret Jug is one of golf's most famous artifacts, and it continues to captivate the masses more than a century after its creation.

The Open enforced stricter drop zones to end old tactics, challenging players with tougher relief options at Royal Portrush.