Perhaps the most "too soon" joke in "too soon" history. For those keeping track, the Masters took place just four weeks after the Players Championship. To be exact, the Masters Par 3 Contest took place just 23 days after the Monday playoff in Ponte Vedra. McIlroy wasted absolutely zero time. Sheesh.

Former champion Darren Clarke is predicting a "really, really strong" showing from Rory McIlroy at the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush next week.

Rory McIlroy didn't get off to a good start in the first round of the Scottish Open, but he managed to overcome the issue and stay in contention.

Royal Portrush will host the 153rd Open Championship for only the third time in its history. Six years ago Irishman Shane Lowry made his major breakthrough, a popular winner once home favourite Rory McIlroy missed the cut. Here the PA news agency looks at this year’s event in Northern Ireland.

Open Championship golfers and the British Open favorite to win ahead of the year's final major at Royal Portrush

The reigning Masters champion, Rory McIlroy, cannot escape the trolls as his latest trim has them questioning who the barber was.

Speaking ahead of the Scottish Open, McIlroy said that longevity was an “under appreciated” part of an athletic career, and shouted out some fellow sporting veterans such as Novak Djokovic, who just advanced to the Wimbledon semifinals at 38.

Rory McIlroy has taken a razor to his hair and resharpened his focus. The world No 2 goes into his first home event since winning the Masters warning his rivals that his strange two-month malaise is over and that his major ambition has returned.