Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy addresses the crowd's presence after Round One of The 2025 Open Championship

Home favourite Rory McIlroy achieved the first part of his mission at Royal Portrush on Friday -- making the cut.

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

Here's what to know about McIlroy's roots, from his hometown and upbringing, to his young golf career before he emerged as one of the best players in the world. McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1989. His father was also from Holywood, while his mother was from Lurgan, County Armagh.

McIlroy didn't play his best Thursday at Royal Portrush but shot 1-under 70 and is three shots off the 18-hole lead.

RORY McILROY was relieved to stay in Open contention after a rollercoaster first round in front of a huge home crowd. The Northern Irish hero, who hit just TWO fairways, crumbled under similar

Rory McIlroy entered the 2025 Scottish Open needing to regain the top-tier form he flashed earlier in the year when he won three tournaments, including the Masters, which secured his career grand slam.

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 has moved back to the UK after selling his dream home in Northern Ireland over a decade ago, with the recently-crowned Masters champion and his family now living in Surrey