The inside story of how Rory McIlroy conquered Portrush

Rory McIlroy knows who he has to emulate next week at the Open at Royal Portrush – a teenager who played without a fear or a care, was unfazed by expectation and who brought the renowned Dunluce links to its knees with a still barely believable 61. Yes, McIlroy has to copy his 16-year-old self.

No doubt, the course has altered considerably since the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Open, because not only have two new holes been added but, as Graeme McDowell says: "They Rory-proofed Portrush straight after the upstart shot an 11 under." Yet, even with the alterations in mind, the game’s leading professionals will still walk around and wonder how anyone could ever go so low, never mind a diminutive schoolboy. In truth, even McIlroy is not sure.

When shown footage of the round by the BBC earlier this year, McIlroy was taken aback by the nonchalance of his younger self’s swagger. "I thought it didn’t seem that long ago in terms of my career because whenever I look back at Royal Portrush and my development I always think about that round," he said.

"But when I watch it now, it does feel like a long time ago. I walked like a 16-year-old and looked like a 16-year-old and the thing is when you’re 16, it takes a lot for your confidence to be dented. My confidence is probably more fragile now than it was then. I had cockiness and sometimes I think I need to rediscover that now. It’s funny, there are not many rounds where I can remember every shot – for that round, I do."