Under-fire organisers of the US Open have admitted it is 'critical' they get it right at Pebble Beach this week after four years of controversy.

Rory McIlroy says he is feeling more confident than at any time since 2016 as he bids to end his wretched run at the US Open.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER AT PEBBLE BEACH: After years of woe in the US Open first round, Rory McIlroy delivered arguably his strongest opening day since 2014.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER AT PEBBLE BEACH: Is it possible to win a major golf tournament without actually playing well? Justin Rose appears determined to find out.

Rory McIlroy says victory at next month's Open Championship would be the 'most special' of his career.

Rory McIlroy could hardly ask for a more opportune moment than this to play an Open at home. It means the feelgood narrative is all about Rory's return rather than McIlroy misfiring.

Rory McIlroy admits it would 'mean the world' to win an Open Championship on home soil after completing the ASI Scottish Open with an error-strewn final round.

IAN LADYMAN AT ROYAL PORTRUSH: Few will find their return to this wonderful stretch of links more poignant than Bezuidenhout. It was here that the 25-year-old was banned for two years.

MARTIN SAMUEL AT ROYAL PORTRUSH: Rory McIlroy was far from being stirred by Northern Ireland's first Open since 1951 - it was as if he momentarily forgot how to play or what it all meant.

An emotional Rory McIlroy was left holding back tears after missing the cut in The Open at Royal Portrush by a shot following a valiant six-under par second round of 65. 

Rory McIlroy grabbed a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka in the third round at the WGC-St. Jude Invitational in Memphis on Saturday, setting up the prospect of a mouth-watering finale.

Rory McIlroy embarrassed Matt Kuchar in hilarious fashion during a sponsor's event, leaving his rival squirming and world No 1 Brooks Koepka in fits of laughter.

Koepka sought out DeChambeau on the putting green before the start of the final round on Sunday, while Englishman Eddie Pepperell characteristically took no prisoners.

He's less than two months away from celebrating seven years of marriage to Jessica Biel, with whom he raises four-year-old son Silas.

The feat placed him above celebrity competitors Michael Pena, Dennis Quaid, Anthony Mackie, professional golfer Rory McIlroy and One Direction star Niall.

Rory McIlroy picked up five shots in his last five holes to fly up the leaderboard and sit just one shot off the lead heading into the weekend at the Omega European Masters.

Andres Romero opened up a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Omega European Masters but Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy were well in contention in Switzerland.

It's not only the Masters at Augusta that continues to be an elusive target for Rory McIlroy. The European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre keeps slipping from his grasp as well.

McIlroy added another award to his trophy cabinet as he was named the PGA Tour Player of the Year for a third time following a 2018-19 campaign capped by his FedExCup championship triumph.

The singer indulged in one of his other passions as he played golf on the Old Course at St Andrews at the preview for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Tuesday.

DEREK LAWRENSON AT ST ANDREWS: Rory McIlroy rounded off a fortnight's golf in Britain with six straight birdies on Sunday and a pointed barb in the direction of the European Tour.

Speaking ahead of his title defence at last week's CJ Cup in South Korea, world number one Koepka was asked about his rivalry with McIlroy and said: 'I've been out here for what, five years?

The end of the year is a time for reflection, looking back at the great and the good of the sporting world and those moments that have shown the best of 2019. We don't care about that, though, do we?

Rory McIlroy believes America isn't taking the coronavirus seriously enough, amid rumours that contingency plans are being drawn up for the Masters to be played behind closed doors.

Christina Wohle of Francestown, New Hampshire lost her son Cole to a heart attack just days after his 18th birthday in July of 2016.

Britney Spears waited until the day after Halloween to show off-to 23 million Instagram followers-her Alice in Wonderland costume. She wasn't the only Britney Spears out in Hollywood this year.

San Diego police said that a man, dressed in a white robe and red sash as shown, walked up to a police officer who was trying to arrest someone else and then punched the cop in the face.

Demi Rose, 24, continued the sizzling display on her Instagram as she slipped into a tiny yellow bikini which put focus on her ample assets.

Gigi and Bella Hadid were spotted in high spirits and makeup free on Friday evening ahead of their flight from LA back home to NYC.

Paris Jackson was back to her boho chic self on Friday. The 21-year-old headed to Nine Zero West salon in Los Angeles for a touch up to her short hairdo.

The KUWTK star, 40, kept the good times rolling as she enjoyed a girls' night out with her pals Larsa Pippen and Stephanie Shepherd at celebrity hotspot Craig's in LA on Saturday.

Canada's Niagara Parks said an October 31 storm moved the iron dumping scow from its original position (inset) to its new location (main), an estimated 164 feet downriver.

Day of the Dead celebrations are underway in Mexico City and Sao Paolo today and gore-drenched zombies and slick-looking skeletons have begun to scare their way through the streets.

Bradley Cooper treated his daughter Lea to some gelato on Saturday night following a dinner with friends. He was seen walking in New York City with the two-year-old on his shoulders.

Demi Rose delighted her 10.5million followers with her latest social media snap on Sunday, posting a very revealing selfie.

Kacey Musgraves paid homage to her hometown when she transformed into a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader for her Halloween costume over the weekend.

A student from Milpitas High School in California said former American History educator, David Carter, was imitating the musician Common in his artificial intelligence ad for Microsoft last Thursday.

Charles Jones, 35, has been charged with child neglect for leaving his daughter at the neighborhood haunted house in Merritt Island, Florida on Halloween night.

Omar Taylor, from Pittsburgh, was playing music at the crowded 'Airbnb mansion' party in Orinda, California, last Thursday, one someone opened five, killing him and four others.

Tamia Robinson, 19, has been charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct over a wild fracas inside off-campus student housing in Atlanta that caused a massive flood.

The photos are from a collaboration with photographer Laurie Stark, taken to benefit Native American activist Leonard Peltier as his lawyers fought to have him released from prison.

Michael T. Gaffney (pictured), 21, of New Jersey, was charged with reckless manslaughter following an autopsy which determined the death of Garcia, as 'compression injuries to her neck'.

Creekside Elementary School principal, Dana Rhinehart, and a teacher were suspended with pay after video of the boy's outfit circulated on social media Friday - prompting with it a swell of backlash.

North Carolina teacher Emma Ogle was arrested on Halloween night and charged with a sex act with a student, indecent liberties with a student and a crime against nature.

Jimmy Kimmel Live finally aired its annual Halloween candy prank on Monday. The talk show host, 51, revealed how it was the ninth year of the prank.

Christopher Williams, 27, from Liverpool, and 21-year-old girlfriend Rebecca Kevan were walking back to their Paris hotel in the early hours of November 1 when they were attacked by four French men.

The company has vowed to vet the accuracy of rental photos and addresses after being criticized for allowing rogue parties and scam artists.

The day before, Charlize took to her Instagram with photos of her costume as Gomez Addams. She opted out of her onscreen role as Morticia, letting her mom play the spooky matriarch.

With Halloween over, the gift giving Holiday season is upon us. And Emma Roberts was joined by Lea Michele to kick off a new campaign by department store Kohl's, in NYC.

Rob Kardashian may be returning to the spotlight. 'Lately, he has been trying to work out more and be healthier. Right away, it makes him feel better about himself. He wants to be out and about.'