Holywood young gun gets star billing

RORY McILROY will get his bid for back-to-back major victories under way at Royal St George’s on Thursday in the company of a former champion and a fellow rising star.

The newly-minted US Open champion from Holywood has been given a 9.09am tee time for the first round of the 140th British Open Championship and has been drawn alongside 2002 winner and three-time runner-up Ernie Els and American Ryder Cupper Rickie Fowler.

The timing is significant in that it represents the star billing for the 22-year-old in a slot previously reserved for superstar Tiger Woods.