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Rory McIlroy, the world's number two golfer, is determined to overcome the disappointment of his near-miss at the US Open and claim victory at the British Open, which begins on Thursday at Troon. McIlroy's heartbreaking loss at Pinehurst, where he missed two short putts on the final two holes, has fueled his motivation to add to his sole British Open triumph in 2014.Despite his recent struggles on links courses, world number one Scottie Scheffler remains the favorite to win. Scheffler has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning six times in 14 starts, including the Masters in April. However, he will need to adapt his game to the windy conditions at Troon, which have historically favored older players.Bryson DeChambeau, who won the US Open, will also be a contender. DeChambeau has recognized the need to adjust his game for links golf and has been practicing on similar courses in preparation.Tiger Woods, a three-time British Open winner, will make his return to the tournament after missing last year's event. Despite his limited playing time since a serious car accident in 2021, Woods believes the links course conditions give him a better chance to compete.The field will be battling for a prize pot worth $17.5 million, with the winner receiving $3.1 million. Fans can expect an exciting tournament, as the last Open played at Troon in 2016 saw Henrik Stenson outgun Phil Mickelson in a Sunday shootout.

Rory McIlroy, the 34-year-old Northern Irish golfer, continues his pursuit of a first Masters Green Jacket, which would complete his career grand slam. Despite 12 cuts and seven top-10s in 15 starts at Augusta National Golf Club, McIlroy has yet to sustain his brilliance over four rounds.Since 2014, the Masters has become an elusive goal for McIlroy. He has experimented with various approaches, including playing fewer tournaments and seeking psychological guidance. However, his efforts have not yielded the desired results.In 2022, McIlroy finished second to Scottie Scheffler, his best Masters finish. This year, he has made changes to his preparation, including a trip to Las Vegas to work with Butch Harmon, Tiger Woods' former coach.McIlroy believes that maintaining normalcy and staying relaxed is crucial for his success. He has also focused on improving his weaknesses, such as putting, and elevating his strengths.One key factor that has hindered McIlroy at the Masters is his inability to start strong. Since 2009, he has had only two sub-70 Thursday rounds. This year, with the opening round expected to be completed on Friday morning due to weather disruptions, a hot start will be essential.McIlroy will play his first two rounds alongside world No. 1 Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. He is determined to overcome his past struggles and finally claim the elusive Green Jacket.