Chris Gotterup's win at the Scottish Open came after a slow-play warning that left him rather frustrated, which he used to fend off Rory McIlroy for the title.

Only six years have passed since Rory McIlroy stepped onto the first tee of the 2019 Open with all eyes on him.

Yet the magnitude of his spring success has only ratcheted up the fervor on Antrim’s north coast, with as many as 290,000 spectators expected to brave rain and biting coastal winds to watch the game’...