Like father like son. That was the case for Rory McIlroy this weekend, as the Northern Irishman lined up alongside his father at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Unlike the majority of his competitors at the event in western Scotland, who paired up with celebrities and A-listers, McIlroy opted for his father to partner him in the team event at the iconic Old Course.
Their fortunes varied throughout the weekend, but there was a heart-warming moment captured by the DP Tour’s media team on Saturday, when McIlroy Jnr was spotted looking up at a replay of his dad’s tee shot on the big screen.
Admiring McIlroy Snr’s swing, the four-time major winner was brought to a standstill while moving between holes, before trundling away with a smile on his face after a successful tee shot for his father.
Ultimately though, it will go down as an unsuccessful weekend’s work for the McIlroys, given they sit in T101 heading into the tournament’s final day.
It’s been a similar story in the singles event for McIlroy, who enters Sunday’s fourth round down in T40, a disappointing 12 shots behind leader Tyrell Hatton.
By sharp contrast, it was a day to remember for Hatton, who not only leads heading into day four, but does so having tied the St Andrews’ course record on Saturday afternoon.
Waltzing his way around all 18 holes in just 61 shots, the LIV Golf star tied Ross Fisher’s course record, setting himself up for a potentially trophy-laden final round on Sunday.
Reacting to the record, Hatton said: “I was just taking each hole as it came and just trying to make as many birdies as I could.
“I had actually shot 10 under here before. So yeah, I really wanted to birdie the last. That’s actually my lowest round on tour as well. Felt like I was trying harder than I normally would for a putt on the last.
“Good putt and thankfully it went in. It was a cool day.”
Hatton will make yet more history if he sees his lead over the line on Sunday, given no player has ever won three Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
The two-time champion boasts a one-shot lead over second-place Nicolas Colsaerts and a three-shot advantage to Tom Vaillant in provisional third.
Action resumes at St Andrews on Sunday morning, with £647,000 on offer to the winner.
