Golf’s oldest major returns to Royal Portrush this week with the world’s best players gathered in Northern Ireland for the 153rd Open Championship.

As the best players in the world prepare for this 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, it’s important to note just how different Irish golf – and particularly this one – is from those classic Scottish or English rota courses.

Vegas oddsmakers have some ideas on who might be walking away from Portrush as a major champion. Here's a look at this week's betting odds.

Royal Portrush is not only open to visitors, but its yearly membership dues are what the average American golfer spends on public tee times.

Rain showers can be expected at times for the 153rd Open Championship, which is being hosted on the coast of Northern Ireland.

Two-time champion Ernie Els has been forced to withdraw from The Open at Royal Portrush, with the South African being replaced in Northern Ireland by Si-woo Kim

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — A hole-by-hole look at Royal Portrush Golf Club, site of the 153rd Open Championship to be played July 17-20.

Fourteen years ago this week, as he calmly strutted up the 18th fairway at Royal St. George's Golf Club — his first and perhaps only major championship firmly in his back pocket — Darren Clarke admits there was a feeling of joy that swept over him like none he'd ever felt.

A mural of Shane Lowry holding aloft the claret jug adorns the side wall of a house just across the road from Royal Portrush.