The open 2025: 'McIlroy got it going, you have to see that.' – Rory's record 61 at Royal Portrush, told of those who were there

When he set up his own records, Evans remembered to feel the nerves when he reached the 18th, which needed a nominal value to darken the standard defined by future Major winners and Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington.

In contrast, O'Callaghan, as the pressure increased, felt McIlroy attention.

The 36-year-old made headlines in Augusta this year because he had not spoken to his playful partner Bryson Decimbeau, but O'Callaghan saw the same unique focus even at the time.

“The more people were there, they could see that his focus went on the next level, he was now in his element,” he said.

“It was not that he imagined, but as if he were entertaining and really making a show.

“He came into this zone or river that people talk about, and they could probably throw an orange on his head and he would not blink.”

When Evans felt that Mcilroy looked like a tour player that day, O'Callaghan recalls when he also celebrated one.

Five consecutive birdies to end his round gave the observed audience what they had hoped for, with a monster putt on the 18th, which provided the exclamation mark for the piece of history.

“It was one of these moments that we saw with Tiger Woods on TV, in which one could see only this thing as a magnet to the hole when the putt left the blade,” he said.

“Rory, you could see it in his eyes. He knows that he is doing it directly from the bat, and he has the putter on and he is ready to go with the fist pump and give him all a lot.

“It didn't even touch the sides of the hole. Electrically.”