The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship’s unique format is a celebration of old friends and new. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan were spotted getting chummy this week, heralding a new friendship with seismic implications for professional golf, but it was a familiar pairing that stole show in round one:

Rory and Gerry McIlroy

The father-son duo kicked off their campaign at Carnoustie, finishing T-125 on the team leaderboard after the first day. It wasn’t the opening round they were hoping for, but the elder McIlroy did provide one of the early highlights of the tournament, chipping in from the rough on the seventh hole for a long par save. Take it away, Mr McIlroy.

“Oh Gerry, what a shot!” #dunhilllinks pic.twitter.com/LRx6SvQ3V4

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) October 3, 2024

Apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Rory ribbed his old man a bit after the round, telling Sky Sports, “He didn’t play very well at all. He bettered me by two, which was nice, but there is definitely room for improvement there with both of the McIlroys.”

It was all in good fun though, as the four-time major champion went on to say, “But it was lovely being out there with him. We have done this a few times before and it’s his 65th birthday on Saturday, so to be strolling around the Old Course with him on his 65th birthday is going to be a pretty cool occasion.”

Say what you want about the pair’s opening-round performance, but as far as early birthday presents go, it doesn’t get much better than draining a long chip while playing with your son at Carnoustie.