Rory McIlroy’s preparations for next month’s Open Championship stepped up a notch after the Northern Irishman played a practice round at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.

The venue plays hosts to the final major of the year as golf’s biggest names head to the north-west of England from July 16-19.

McIlroy has tackled the Southport course before as he finished tied-fourth when it last hosted the event in 2017, seven shots behind champion Jordan Spieth.

The 37-year-old is widely-known to make scouting missions before playing at major championships and it was no different as the Masters champion got to grips with Royal Birkdale before next month’s proceedings.

placeholder image — Rory McIlroy finished tied-fourth in his last Open Championship appearance at Royal Birkdale

However, the Holywood native wouldn’t have expected to bump into Sir Nick Faldo as was also present at Royal Birkdale to do some research for Sky Sports.

Birkdale will look significantly different from the 2017 edition with a new par-three 15th hole, meaning the old par-five 15th is now the 14th, but the significant changes have only added 67 yards to make the course now 7,223 yards.

There are also adjustments to the 5th, 7th and 18th holes ahead for the game’s elite in under a month’s time.

In a video posted on X, Sir Nick Faldo asked McIlroy for his views on Royal Birkdale to which he replied: "I've always thought Birkdale is one of the best on the Open rota, so excited to be back.

"It's good. A little bit different from 2017, the last time we played an Open here. Some different green complexes, different holes.

"The fifth hole I just played is completely different. I like it. A good driveable par four. A bit of a penalty if you got for it and miss.

"I don't know if the water is quite in play on the right but a lot of big deep bunkers guarding the green."

McIlroy also told Sir Nick that he intends to play the Genesis Scottish Open from July 9-12 as he bids to lift the Claret Jug for the second time in his career.

"It's good to get up here and play early,” he added. “I've been trying to do that at every major championship, which is working out for me.

"Try to play a bit of links golf, get used to these conditions again."