Hometown favourite Graeme McDowell once shot an impressive 63 at Royal Portrush - but it may have been fuelled by a can of cider.
Gmac, preparing for this week’s Open Championship , drew gales of laughter from the media when he was asked if he had ever gone close to Rory McIlroy’s old course record of 61.
McIlroy, an 8/1 favourite this week, shot an eagle and nine birdies as a 16-year-old when he was competing in a North of Ireland amateur qualifier on the Dunluce Links in 2005.
“I remember (shooting) 63 in a casual round - a couple of times,” recalled McDowell. “Never in a North of Ireland qualifier, which is when Rory did his.
“When you’ve got a card in your pocket and you’re playing the competition pins, a score like that is a real score.
“Not when you’re out maybe having a Magners on the 10th tee with the lads - that's not a real 63. Although maybe it’s a better one, who knows!”
On McIlroy’s remarkable round of 61 as a teenager, McDowell added: “We heard the rumours of this young kid and I remember when he shot the 61.
“There’s always a ‘young kid’, but I was like ‘hold on a minute, that’s a serious score - maybe this young kid is for real’. And obviously he was, so we were right.”
McDowell, playing in his first Open in three years after missing the 2017 and 2018 championships at Royal Birkdale and Carnoustie, tees it up in Thursday’s first round at 9.14am.
“Growing up in Portrush, it’s a proud moment to see The Open Championship here,” he said.
“It’s so enormous when you see it happening in your hometown and you see how everyone benefits, how the whole country and island is benefiting.”
Such are the crowds that have descended on Portrush during practice, McDowell admitted he was nervous teeing it up on Tuesday.
“I was on the first tee and it was an amazing atmosphere,” he said. “I was a little nervous and I couldn’t believe it, really. I could feel the juices flowing already.
“I figure I’m going to feel a little fired up tomorrow on the first tee. I’m very much looking forward to the gun going off tomorrow and getting the head down.
“I’ll be trying to settle down, stay patient and try to make a few birdies and get off to a nice start.”
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