'I have been to a lot of big American competitions - The Open in Portrush is better'
Spectators at The Open in Portrush have been delivering their verdicts, with some saying that the event is better than many of its American counterparts.
The News Letter was out speaking to visitors and volunteers on day two of the competition.
Richard Knox, 68, from Greenville, South Carolina, said: "I think they're doing a great job. The organisation compared to tournaments at home is a couple of levels above.
"This one is run as well as any golf tournament I've ever been to – I've been to four Opens, I've been to the Masters probably 10 times, US Open, Walker Cup, Ryder Cup. As I said, this compares favourably to any of them.
"I've been fortunate enough to have played this course, and many times and it's amazing to watch these guys play it. It's so different for them than an ordinary guy.
"It's a little better organised than 2019. I think the town and the surrounding area is more clued-in this time.
"A lot of restaurants, food service places, have experience of being overwhelmed in 2019, and they're better organised this time."
An Ulster-Scot by background, this is his 40th trip to Northern Ireland.
"It's such a great sight to be able to come over now and not know when you've crossed the border,” he said.
"Before the military would jerk you out of the car. It's just the beauty, and the people [that keep bringing me back]."
Anna Bacock, 45, is originally from Lurgan, but now lives in a small town called Big Pine on a Native American reservation in California.
She has tickets for several days, and said: "It is fantastic – 10 out of 10. It's the people, the venue, the food trucks, the bathrooms. And the weather has been nice and cool.
"We've been to a US Open and this is a way better experience – the layout, accessibility, toilets. And do you know what? It's almost spotless!"
Her son Owen, 16, was born in California, and said: "I'm rooting for Rory. I love his swing – it's amazing, and with my mum being from here, I've got to be a Rory supporter."
Steven Carruthers, 55, and from Edinburgh, had been to “about two dozen” Opens, and said this one is “outstanding”.
He said he was supporting McIlroy because “he’s a Celt”.
"But he’s also one of the leading lights in golf,” he said.
“Tiger is no longer in the limelight these days, and to see him here, home on his patch, is second to none.”
‘ROOF WILL COME OFF IF RORY WINS’:
Stephanie Downes, 59 and from Kilkenny, had come up for a single day of the contest.
"It's brilliant. I have to say all the volunteers and staff are super-friendly.
"We were here in 2019, but before that it was 30 years since I'd been up here. And tomorrow, we're going along the Antrim coast."
As to who she's supporting, she said: "Rory: he's number one. I'm trying to see Scottie too, but Rory is just the king of the castle, isn't he?"
Does he enjoy much support in Kilkenny too?
"Are you joking me?" she asked. "Everybody would be shouting for Rory: he's brilliant.
"The roof will come off Northern Ireland – in fact the whole of Ireland – if he wins."
Drew McArthur, 19, and from near Aberdeen, said: "Portrush itself is just a beautiful village, and it's run very, very smoothly. This is the fourth or fifth Open I've been to. And it's top of the list.
"The people - that's a big pull, how welcoming everyone is."
His brother Cammy, 26, said: "I've been to a few Opens, and this just feels different – the atmosphere."
A complaint about spectator numbers came from Richard Devine, originally from Dublin, now living in Glasgow.
"We were here in 2019 and enjoyed the experience," he said.
"But I feel too many tickets were sold [this year] and the experience isn't the same."
‘THE TOURISTS ARE IN AWE’:
Volunteer steward Kyle Leckey, 50, said 50,000 people were expected throughout Friday.
A Portrush native, he has given up his time for eight days to help direct people around the course, unpaid.
"I'm a bit of a people person I suppose," he said.
"It's just the buzz of the place, and it's great to meet folk: from Australia, New Zealand, India.
"Anybody I've spoken to is just in awe of the coast and the country.
"I think from a tourist point of view, it's huge. They just can't get over the scenery here. You'd like to think they'll come back.
"This is bigger than in 2019; more infrastructure around the course."
With him was Jim McDowell, 67, and from Glengormley.
A part-time aircraft repair technician with Spirit Aerosystems, he was also an unpaid steward.
"I'm a golfer so it was an opportunity to get up close to this whole caravan that moves around the world and see it from the inside.
"My job here is to present Northern Ireland in as good a light as I can, and to hope people come back. I'm promoting the best place in the world."
Another reason he came is that he is a member of Greenacres Golf Course near Ballyclare – the same course that Northern Irish competitor Tom McKibbin belonged to as a boy.
"I'm here to see him do well and promote Greenacres – which needs it,” he said.
WATCHING LIKE A HAWK:
The News Letter also met some especially unusual spectators – a pair of Harris’s hawks.
Owner David Trenier, 40 and from Magheramorne, and his fiancee were walking around the birds on their arms.
Mr Trenier said they serve to intimidate seagulls who would otherwise swoop down and steal spectators’ food.
"She doesn’t catch them,” he stressed. “It’s more of a scare tactic.”
Kathy Newell, 45 and from Lurgan, was never a golf fan.
So how come she's at The Open?
Her company Just Say Hooray was hired to make Open-themed biscuits for Callaway Golf, so she got a ticket for Friday's golf and came with some friends.
"I have to be honest, I didn't have an interest in golf," she said. "But I have totally loved it.
"Now I'm trying to get tickets for Sunday on re-sale. I don't want to miss out."
Edgar Cumins, 65 and from Hillsborough, said: “We’re here to see Rory hopefully bring it home. He’s done well – he’s kept it up. Everyone is willing him on.”
He added that “everywhere he goes the crowds are 10 times deeper” than for anyone else.
Spectator Rami Veranen, 59 and from Finland, said: “Though I’m not a teenager, it really does feel magical to be so close to these guys.”
Arpit Agarwal, 57, and from Mumbai, travels to The Open every year.
He said each Open is an improvement on the last, and this is no exception.
He said: "I think the event's fanstastic. There is so much camaraderie, you can talk to anyone as if you've known them forever."
Meanwhile his niece Dia Goel, 13 and a keen golfer herself, said: "This is the first Open I've ever been to but so far, it's amazing."
Ballymena native Campbell McAnally, 62 and now living in Orlando, Florida, said: "I've been to quite a few [tournaments] in America, and the only thing missing here is the weather."
Bob Underhill, 77, had come with his wife Libby, 67, from Chester for the tournament.
"We've been to a number of Opens," he said.
"I've been to at least 10. There's a lot more space here – it's a good spectator course, unlike some."
"Hopefully we'll have a European winner – and preferably a British winner," said his wife.