Rory McIlroy hailed the "unbelievable" home support as he shot a first-round 71 at the 2025 Amgen Irish Open.
The Masters Champion, from Northern Ireland, was back on his home island for the second time since completing his career Grand Slam - having finished in a tie for seventh in July's Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
This week's tournament takes place south of the border at the K Club in County Kildare where McIlroy, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, still enjoyed tremendous support.
"It's been amazing," said the World Number Two. "It's great every time I come back and play in this tournament.
"The crowds are unbelievable and it's obviously a pleasure to play in front of them. They create a great atmosphere."
Starting on the back nine, McIlroy was three under par at the turn and remained there until bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes left him one under par for his round.
"Yeah, felt like I played better than what the score reflects," he said. "Felt like I hit the ball well, drove the ball well, just had that disappointing finish, bogeying two of the last three holes.
"But actually pretty encouraged how I played. Just didn't score as well as I wanted to. Yeah, game feels pretty good. Off the tee was good. Was sort of a continuation of what I saw at East Lake a couple of weeks ago. Just a matter of being more efficient with the scoring.
"Ball striking-wise I thought I was pretty good today. Around the greens for the most part I was good. I missed a couple of mid-range putts there at the end of the round to save par and that one at the last for birdie, but felt like I hit decent putts and just hitting edges.
"So hopefully I can get it going tomorrow and shoot a low one."
