Along with the gold trophy and prize money, McIlroy will receive a five-year exemption into The Players and a three-year exemption into the four majors.

The Brat star is the recipient of the honorary prize, which has previously been won by British acts Ed Sheeran ... the producer of the year prize. The trophy was first awarded in 1977 to Beatles ...

NTT INDYCAR SERIES rookie Louis Foster was named as the recipient of the Graham Hill Trophy from the British Racing Drivers ... This covers all global open-wheel series, including Formula One ...

The World Open is seeing a lot of big names stumble ... other contenders left in the draw who will look to beat him to the trophy on Saturday, including John Higgins, Ding Junhui and Barry Hawkins.