Rory McIlroy told to change his character as Open champion's dad weighs in with £296m claim

The 153rd Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush this weekend, with Rory McIlroy in serious contention to win on home soil. However, Xander Schauffele will be a tough man to beat as he defends his title in Northern Ireland.

McIlroy is in top form for his homecoming, having just finished second in the Genesis Scottish Open. Twelve years after first winning the Claret Jug, the 36-year-old is back in fray and has received some sage advice from two former champions.

One previous Open winner is eager to see McIlroy triumph but is acutely aware of the pressure on his shoulders this weekend. Another wants to see the world No. 2 opt for the light-hearted approach following a tricky few months.

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In other news, Schauffele's father has disclosed the hefty price it would take for his son to abandon the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. And the figure might not be what the organisers of the Saudi-funded series were hoping for.

£296m LIV claim made by star's dad

Despite many stars leaving the PGA for lucrative deals with LIV, Schauffele has remained loyal to the tour that made him famous. However, this loyalty was tested when the Californian was offered between £112million and £148m to join the deserters.

These figures were mentioned by Stefan, Schauffele's dad, as well as his long-time swing coach and agent, in a recent interview with The Times. But according to Schauffele Sr, even doubling that offer wouldn't have been enough to persuade his son to leave.

"They could've doubled the money and we still wouldn't do it," said Stefan. For the Schauffele family, securing the ranking points needed to qualify for major championships remains the top priority.

Given this stance, there's may be no realistic sum LIV could present that would tempt Schauffele, who pocketed £2.3m for his Open triumph last year, to abandon the PGA Tour. The defending Open champion will once again put his reputation on the line as he attempts to become the tournament's first consecutive winner since Padraig Harrington in 2008.

Open winner offers McIlroy guidance

Speaking of Harrington, the Irishman feels for McIlroy as he arrives at Royal Portrush carrying enormous expectations. Having ended his major drought this year and completed the career Grand Slam by capturing the Masters, he's now in excellent form and competing in familiar territory.

Everything appears perfectly positioned for the Northern Irish sensation to mount a serious challenge on a course he knows intimately. However, Harrington warned of the potential pitfalls that can emerge when things seem almost too favourable.

"Yeah, poor Rory, everyone seems to build up the pressure on him being the favourite," he told BBC Sport. "But if you want to be at that level the pressure's always going to be on you. Clearly, he knows Portrush very well, he'll have the support and there's no doubt we'd love to see an Irish winner."

McIlroy's recent runner-up finish at the Scottish Open has quelled the drama surrounding his driver. And Padraig Harrington believes McIlroy is set for more major wins, regardless of this weekend's outcome.

"Him going with the Masters' jacket, I think it's enough for him to just swan around and wave to the crowds," the three-time major winner opined. "He doesn't have to win. The people always want him to win the next major or whatever, but it doesn't have to be this one. I know it would be nice to be Portrush, but he'll win plenty more majors."

McIlroy told to lighten up

After his victory at Augusta, which ended an 11-year drought for a major title, McIlroy seemed on top of the world. However, trouble soon followed when his Masters-winning driver was deemed to be non-conforming with regulations at the PGA Championship.

Forced to abandon his most reliable club, McIlroy faced a series of disappointing performances. And in order to deal with any outside pressure coming his way, six-time major champion Lee Trevino suggested McIlroy should handle such situations with a sense of humour.

"He's going to the tee, these guys are full of Bud and they're saying, 'Rory, is this driver legal?' You don't need that s***," he told The Times. "He could have used some humour. I'd have said, 'I'm trying to be No1, and if I can get another five or six illegal clubs in this bag, I'm going to try.'"

Perhaps that's not McIlroy's approach, as he'd rather allow his performance on the fairways speak for itself. And having rediscovered his form with the driver, The Open could be precisely the right moment to prove his point.