Scotland's Robert MacIntyre was pipped to the Scottish Open by McIlroy on Sunday, but the 26-year-old demonstrated again why he could be a contender this week.
MacIntyre is one of seven Scottish players in the field, including Open debutant Ewen Ferguson and Richie Ramsay, while Oliver Farr is the only Welsh representative.
An Englishman has not won the Open since Nick Faldo in 1992 and, with all three of Faldo's victories coming in Scotland, there has not been a champion on home soil since Tony Jacklin in 1969.
Local lad Tommy Fleetwood, who hails from just up the coast in Southport, would be a popular winner, with Tyrrell Hatton, Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose also among the home hopes.
Fitzpatrick, who won the US Open last year to become only the second Englishman to claim a major in the past 10 years, has been joined in the 156-man field by his younger brother.
Alex Fitzpatrick, 24, came through qualifying and the pair are the first brothers to play at an Open since Italians Francesco and Edoardo Molinari in 2015 - Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard are also playing this week.
Veteran English pair Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter are missing after not attempting to qualify, with Westwood not present for the first time since 1995.
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