PORTRUSH, United Kingdom (AFP) — Rory McIlroy said he had enjoyed an "awesome week" back in Northern Ireland, even if his charge to win the British Open for a second time fell short on Sunday.

The Masters champion finished in a tie for seventh on 10 under par, seven shots adrift of world number one Scottie Scheffler, who romped to his first Claret Jug.

McIlroy was supported wildly across the four days at Royal Portrush, which is just over 60 miles from where the world No. 2 grew up.

"It's been an awesome week. I've got everything I wanted out of this week apart from a Claret Jug, and that's just because one person was just a little bit better than the rest of us," McIlroy said.

"I feel so thankful and just so lucky that I get to do this in front of this crowd. Hopefully, I'll have one or two (British) Opens left here."

McIlroy's Masters victory in April saw him become just the sixth man to win the career Grand Slam.

It seems just a matter of time before Scheffler joins that list after he added the British Open to his two Masters and PGA Championship title from earlier this year.

The American's spate of success in the last two years has sparked comparisons with the dominance of 15-time major winner Tiger Woods during his heyday.

"None of us could hang with Scottie this week. He's an incredible player," McIlroy added.

"He's been dominant for the last couple years. He is the bar that we're all trying to get to.”