Internal out of bounds returning to The Open, could be factor on final hole

Back in 2019, Rory McIlroy began his Open Championship with a tee shot that found the internal out of bounds on Royal Portrush’s opening hole, eventually carding a first-round 79 and later missing the cut.

Four years later, internal out of bounds has returned at the sport’s oldest major and could factor again, potentially on the final hole of this year’s Open at Royal Liverpool.

The white stakes and lines guard the third and 18th fairways from what is usually the members’ practice range; this week that land, which is guarded by a short, stone wall, houses championship infrastructure, including hospitality and merchandise tents. The out of bounds comes into play at the par-4 third, normally…