You know what I mean? The County Down boy - just 16 - shot nine birdies and an eagle to better the previous best around the Dunluce links by an incredible three shots. After the tide of emotion that followed Rory McIlory’s exit on Friday evening, the pressure was immense by the time the bearded son of Offaly took to the first tee in the last of the afternoon sunshine. ", Watch giant alligator stroll through Valencia golf course in Florida, Patrice Evra engaged to model Margaux, 25, after split with ex-wife, Man Utd make ‘formal’ Ronaldo offer as they look to seal stunning return, Marcus Rashford set for global superstardom after trademarking his name in the US, Barnes says Liverpool would have axed Klopp in slow first 2 years if he were black, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. There is something about this place which is very special. “It’s going to be more challenging to control yourself in that atmosphere. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. Check our predictions, picks, and the latest odds for the Cyprus Showdown, Starting November 5 and ending November 8. Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. In wind and rain, just two players broke par in Royal Portrush’s first Open Championship. He added: "I did not care what the score was, I just wanted the course record. Par 3, 194 yards (Harry Colt’s): One of the great par 3s. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "It felt normal to me. RORY McILROY showed everybody he was on the path to global golf superstardom when he shot a course-record 61 at Royal Portrush aged just 16. The bouncy turf is again a classic links trait while the mixed-sized and undulating greens look impeccable but provide hidden mysteries to golfers of every experience. The 2013 US Open champion rescued par, but his was a round marked by missed opportunities as he wrestled with a pull that prevented him from making up ground. Brooks Koepka continued in another humdrum round of religious and belligerent consistency without truly catching alight. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? McIlroy’s 61 came on the original layout. He’s joined there by Justin Rose, whose eagle on the profitable twelfth pulled him back into contention, but was left scything at the air in frustration as his shot trickled off the green at 18. It’s just a great test of golf. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. I loved the golf course. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. …, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - Course Guide, Frequently listed as one of the greatest courses on the planet, Shinnecock Hills is full of history. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The crowd was incredible. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Three straight pars followed before further birdies came at the par 3 sixth and par 5 ninth to see him move to three-under through nine. He will start in the final group alongside Lowry and, perhaps for the first time, one of the nicest men in golf will be amicably rooted against. Check our predictions, picks, and the latest odds for The Masters, Starting November 12 and ending November 15. It’s a beautiful, beautiful course. "News started to filter across there that I had done something special and I got a text from Darren Clarke, which was so cool. Recalling the round, multi-millionaire McIlroy said he had more cockiness back then and his confidence is more fragile now. Ahead of the 2019 event, the 17th and 18th holes of the original course were replaced by two new holes (7th and 8th) of land that was part of the Valley Links. When people click on our affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various sportsbooks. Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed, Rory McIlroy was just a fresh-faced 16-year-old with blond highlights when he shot a course-record 11-under 61 at Royal Portrush, The four-time Major champion's card from that day is still on display inside the Portrush clubhouse, McIlroy had a crowd watching him when he recorded this historic score, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). Start your Independent Premium subscription today. With Dunluce Castle and the white cliffs as a backdrop, the tee shot is played to an elevated green with a false front to punish anything underhit. The course held five straight Senior Opens from 1995 and produced a list of classy winners. The 2012 Irish Open was also held there before, in June 2015, the R&A announced that the 148th Open Championship would be heading to Royal Portrush. The Valley Links is a good test but it’s the Dunluce Links which gives the venue its elite status. ”I honestly can’t explain what it was like. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. Irishman scores the lowest ever round on Royal Portrush’s new course to pull away from the chasing pack and put one hand on the Claret Jug, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. A 16-year-old Rory McIlroy in action sets the Royal Portrush course record. For now, though, those in pursuit are insignificant. I became pro in 2007 and had two years to make the Walker Cup. Lowry has this tournament by the scruff of its neck and only nerves will see him squander it. Prior to this week, Lowry had missed the cut at The Open in four straight years, scoring a combined +23 in total. McIlroy grew up in Holywood, Northern Ireland, and he set the Dunluce course record at Royal Portrush when he was 16 with an 11-under 61 in the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Championship.