Half a dozen strokes of arrears to Schaeffler – card 67 without bogies and open 4 shot cushions to li haotong.
It was his target of course that he had a claret jug rolled up the grass of his house, but he seems willing to treat him with pleasure this week as a homecoming of a postmaster that will shake up his soul.
McIlroy is 36. It is unknown if Protrush will host the Open next, but there is no guarantee that the five major winner will be one of the game’s superstars.
So, after McIlroy admitted that he didn’t maintain the bargain end in 2019, both players and fans want to taste the moment this week.
Fans have certainly been around the week. From getting out of his bed, they gathered in astonishing numbers on Saturday for the early morning practice round of the moon, and they cheered him up every time.
Especially on Saturday, the “Rolly, Rolly, Rory” chant against the background of the rouds from other parts of the course gave the Sunday vibe of the Ryder Cup in the afternoon.
“I’ve really come here just trying to accept it,” he said.
“If I hadn’t won the majors this year, I might have felt differently if I hadn’t beaten the Masters.
“It’s a celebration of most of what I’ve achieved. I want to celebrate with them too. This week I really tried to embrace everything.
“I’m having an incredible time. I really enjoy myself. I feel like I’ve given myself half the chance now, and I’m excited for tomorrow.”
