The Claret Jug is the iconic trophy awarded to the British Open champion and one of golf’s most celebrated prizes.

PAIGE Spiranac almost stole the show from Open champ Scottie Scheffler at the premiere for Happy Gilmore 2. The golf influencer stunned in a figure-hugging see-through dress as she joined a host

It was not quite the glorious homecoming Rory McIlroy had dared to dream of on his return to Royal Portrush but it felt like redemption for Northern Ireland's favourite sporting son after the heartbreak of six years ago.

The Claret Jug is one of golf's most famous artifacts, and it continues to captivate the masses more than a century after its creation.

If McIlroy didn’t quite deliver, then Royal Portrush — where he shot 61 as a 16-year-old for the course record — certainly did, gaining widespread rave reviews.

British Open leader Scottie Scheffler opened the door for the chasing pack with a double-bogey at the eighth hole after seemingly having the Claret Jug in his grasp but still had a five-stroke advantage midway through his final round on Sunday.

There’s been no shortage of enthusiasm for the British Open in Portrush this week. Fans have lined the fairways 10 deep from Tuesday to Sunday, mostly to cheer on local boy Rory McIlroy as he vies for the first home-soil claret jug since Paul Lawrie in 1999.