Rory McIlroy takes heart from near misses in bid to end major wait at British Open

In a 158-man field it would be a stretch to suggest all eyes will be on Rory McIlroy in the British Open at Royal Troon, but maybe not much of one.

One of the game’s biggest draws at the best of times, McIlroy is arguably an even greater subject of interest at the worst of times, in this instance his agonising failure to end his long major drought in last month’s US Open.

Briefly two shots ahead on the back nine in the final round at Pinehurst, McIlroy bogeyed three of the last four holes – crucially missing short putts on the 16th and 18th – to finish a shot behind Bryson DeChambeau, who conjured a brilliant par save from a bunker on the last.

The look on McIlroy’s face as he realised his hopes of a play-off had gone were worth a thousand words, which was just as well as he left the course moments later without congratulating DeChambeau or speaking to the media.

RORY ALSO THREE-PUTTS