The child stood transfixed, overwhelmed by the moment, until reality crashed back when McIlroy had already moved 50 yards past. Panic flashed across the boy's face—had he missed his chance? He found his voice.

Six years after his emotional missed cut at Royal Portrush, McIlroy stuck around for four days of heavy praise from the hometown crowd, which showered McIlroy all the way through his 10-under performance and T-7 finish.

It was not quite the glorious homecoming Rory McIlroy had dared to dream of on his return to Royal Portrush but it felt like redemption for Northern Ireland's favourite sporting son after the heartbreak of six years ago.

So, this was weird: Rory McIlroy, playing his second shot from the rough on the 11th at Royal Portrush in Round 3 of the British Open, somehow managed to unearth another ball in mid-swing. The second ball was apparently embedded in the ground a few inches ahead of McIlroy's ball, and popped into the air as McIlroy's shot flew greenward.

Rory McIlroy didn't disappoint his countrymen at Royal Portrush, and is ready to spend some more time on European soil.

McIlroy has played solid enough through 36 holes at The Open Championship but will need to actually move on Moving Day

The final day dawns at Royal Portrush as the 153rd Open Championship is set for a grandstand finish on the Dunluce Links.

Rory McIlroy will play the weekend at a Royal Portrush Open. But to contend, he'll need to straighten out his driver.

The top two golfers in the world are firmly in contention at The Open with Scheffler out in front entering another major championship weekend