Paddy Power 'welcome home' McIlroy with huge cheeky sign
The Irish bookmaker, notorious for displaying gag signs at major sporting events, set up a massive pair of inflatable underpants at Portrush with two large golf balls sticking out at the bottom.
The giant pants read: 'Welcome home, Rory. The biggest balls in golf.' McIlroy was welcomed home in classic Paddy Power style. Pic: Paddy Power
Paddy Power shared the sign on social media with the message: 'Welcoming Ireland's Grand Slam champion back home. Good luck, Rory!'
Rory, of course, completed his career grand slam earlier this year with a stunning performance at Augusta National in The Masters.
Now, the 36-year-old is looking for another success story back in his homeland and potentially securing a second Open Championship to go along with his previous win in 2014. Rory McIlroy in action during a practice round prior to The Open. Pic:Commenting on the inflatable sign, Paddy Power said: 'Winning a career Grand Slam takes guts – or, in Rory's case, absolute balls of steel.
'We thought it was only right to honour his heroic return with something suitably enormous, unmissable, and truly entertaining.
'What better way than a pair of giant underpants and two enormous golf balls swinging in the Northern Irish breeze? If that doesn't scream 'Rory's home', we don't know what does.
'Because if anyone's earned the right to strut around with massive metaphorical stones, it's Rory McIlroy, and when he shows up swinging, so do we.' McIlroy will be looking to make up for his last Portrush outing. Pic:The Co. Down native showed off his new Green Jacket by wearing it to Portrush to collect the Golfer of the Year award from the Association of Golf Writers.
He said: 'The reception I've had here has made this week a celebration of what I have achieved in my career but it's also an opportunity I want to embrace.
'Being in this position is the stuff of dreams. It has been an incredible year.'
Rory got his Open Championship underway at 3.10pm on Thursday and will no doubt be watched intently by Irish fans throughout the weekend.
He added: 'I feel so grateful to be in this position now, to be home and have the chance to win another Major.
'It's been an amazing year, from the end of last year winning the Race to Dubai and doing what I've done in the first half of this year.' Rory McIlroy holds the AGW 2024 Golfer of The Year award. Pic:Pointing at his Green Jacket, Rory continued: 'I fulfilled a lifelong dream this year, winning this thing that's over my shoulders right now.
'Any excuse to put it back on I'll happily take.'
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