The Open 2024: I’ll handle pressure better than Pinehurst, says Rory McIlroy

McKibbin, meanwhile, is continuing his steady progress in the professional ranks having secured his place at Troon in bittersweet fashion by losing to Germany’s Marcel Siem in a play-off for last month’s Italian Open.

The 21-year-old, who finished a respectable tied 41st on his US Open debut last month, says he is wary of putting too much pressure on himself this week.

“[I’ll] go out, play my game and at the end of it assess where I’m at against these great guys,” said McKibbin, who joked that Clarke had been giving him a “hard time” about not being in the field before he qualified.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself by saying I want to do this and that but just go out, commit to all my shots and have a good week.”

As for Clarke, who finished tied second at Troon in 1997, the 55-year-old says he is confident the future holds major championship wins for both McIlroy and McKibbin.

“He [McIlroy]’s got more coming and if he [McKibbin] listens to Rors, he’ll have his name on some trophies as well. And I’ll be happily sitting with a drink in my hand watching them both on TV!”