Rory McIlroy faces grim return as rival who helped ruin his Open dream gets red hot

It was at St Andrews two years ago where McIlroy led going into the final day, only to be overhauled by a sublime final round from Cameron Smith. And to rub salt into the wounds of the Northern Irishman, a charging Cameron Young then eagled the final hole to knock him down into third spot.

It moved him five shots behind overnight leader Tom Kim, setting up a tantalising finish. And Young then seemed odds-on for victory when he birdied the first four holes of his final round.

That gave him a total of 15 under in just 22 holes, but he wasn’t able to maintain his birdie rush. He eventually finished tied for ninth on 17-under-par, five off Kim and Scottie Scheffler.

And in a dramatic play-off shootout, it was Scheffler who eventually prevailed after four extra holes. But Young, who holed a ten-foot putt on the last on Saturday to complete his historic 59, has sounded a warning ahead of his tilt at Royal Troon.

The development will be noted by McIlroy, who could now have another rival to fend off if he is to finally land the fifth major title he craves. He’ll head to Scotland as the world No.2, behind Masters champions Scheffler.

Prior to that, McIlroy is expected to return to action to defend his title at the Genesis Scottish Open. The tournament begins on July 11 and serves as the perfect warm-up for The Open Championship.