Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.

“I’m going to say this to Rory: Rory, I love everything you’re doing,” McAfee said Wednesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show. “You walk up to the media and tell them to kiss your ass. You do whatever you need to do, buddy. It is great whenever you’re playing incredible golf. If you need to take some time, you need to take some time.”

The hometown hero is back at Royal Portrush, but Rory McIlroy was poor off the tee again as the Open Championship rolls on.

Here's what to know about McIlroy's roots, from his hometown and upbringing, to his young golf career before he emerged as one of the best players in the world. McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland in 1989. His father was also from Holywood, while his mother was from Lurgan, County Armagh.

McIlroy ejected on the first hole and ultimately missed the cut when The Open was last played in his home country of Northern Ireland

Rory McIlroy celebrated his sixth AGW Golfer of the Year award in his iconic green jacket ahead of his Open Championship fight.

A two-story mural depicting a precocious Rory McIlroy in 2012 has seen such better days that you can barely tell it is the Grand Slam golfer anymore

Fred Warren was one of the first college coaches to recruit heavily from Europe. And he nearly snagged a young McIlroy.