As the Open Championship returns to Royal Portrush, those who say Rory McIlroy shoot a record 61 around the course as a 16-year-old remember it as the day he went to "the next level" in his career.

The year was 2019. After a 68-year gap, the R&A took the Open back to Royal Portrush. The influence of major winners from Northern Ireland such as Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell was viewed as crucial in the decision.

McIlroy ejected on the first hole and ultimately missed the cut when The Open was last played in his home country of Northern Ireland