Rory McIlroy hailed an "awesome week" after finishing in a share of seventh on home soil in the 153rd Open.
The World Number Two went out in the penultimate group during the final round at Royal Portrush, the course situated only an hour from where he grew up in Holywood.
However, Scottie Scheffler proved his new credentials of Champion Golfer of the Year by claiming his maiden Open Championship by four shots.
A double bogey at the tenth derailed any slim hopes of pushing Scheffler as McIlroy signed for a final round of 69 to sit alongside Robert MacIntyre and Xander Schauffele at ten under, seven adrift of the World Number One.
Despite being unable to challenge for the title, McIlroy is desperate to return to County Antrim for another tilt in the future.
"I tried as best as I could to keep my emotions in check, especially walking up the last there and that reception," the five-time Major Champion said.
"It's been an awesome week. I've gotten everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us.
"I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this, I get to do this in front of this crowd.
"Hopefully I'll have one or two Opens left here, if the R&A decide to keep coming back, probably one while I'm still competitive and another one while I'm more grey than I already am.
"It's just been incredible to come back here and to play and at least feel like I had a chance today going out there. Just an awesome week.
"Honestly, I think Portrush has quickly turned into one of the best two or three venues that The Open goes to.
"I'm not sure Portrush is going to have The Open every six years, that would be nice, but I would obviously love it to keep coming back."
McIlroy has relished his return to form since arriving back in the United Kingdom - finishing second in last week's Genesis Scottish Open before his top ten finish here - but he is looking forward to bigger targets ahead.
"I feel like being back in Europe for a bit was a nice reset," he added. "All I can do is focus on myself and try to play the best golf that I can. I know that, when I do that, I'll have my weeks where I'll contend and hopefully win.
"I feel like I'm getting back to where I want to be and we've still got a lot of golf left this year, with obviously Ryder Cup being the big one in there in September.
"I don't want to play too much leading up to that because I want to be fresh. So I'm looking forward to a few weeks off here.
"I'll reflect on what's been already a good year and start to get myself ready for that run up to the Ryder Cup."
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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