Rory McIlroy earned more respect from fans despite falling short in The Open Championship in his home country of Northern Ireland.

Rory McIlroy Finishes T7 At The Open Championship

The Open Championship continued on Saturday at Royal Portrush in Antrim, Northern Ireland as Rory McIlroy and other big name golfers chased leaders Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy found himself tied for 11th on the leaderboard at -5 as the day continued to unwind.

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been the dominant forces in golf over the past two years but the pair share a mutual respect and admiration for one another

Scottie Scheffler continued his run of dominance on Sunday, winning the Open Championship by four strokes, his third major championship in the past two years and fourth overall.

The Open Championship isn't over. McIlroy and everyone else in contention have to believe they have a chance. But they're chasing a guy who's almost impossible to catch.