"It's nice to be able to accept adulation, even though I struggle with it at times," Rory McIlroy said of his return to Royal Portrush for the British Open.

Royal Portrush is not only open to visitors, but its yearly membership dues are what the average American golfer spends on public tee times.

The world of golf, and much of the sporting world, will pause this week as The 153rd Open Championship tees off Thursday morning at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. While the official prize purse has yet to be announced (in true Major tradition),