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.

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

Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp and Sepp Straka share clubhouse lead with six-under 64 Scottie Scheffler opens with a 67, MacIntyre cards 68 Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele & US Open champion JJ Spaun among afternoon starters George O'Neill,

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.

No matter what Rory McIlroy shoots or how he handles the media spotlight, one thing that remains untouchable is his career Grand Slam. It took 11 years for the Northern Irish man to finally break through.