Two of Rory McIlroy’s best mates have been sharing in the glow of the four-time Major winners brilliant efforts at this week’s Wells Fargo Championship.

Ricky McCormick and Mitchell Tweedie have already walked 72 holes of the suburban Charlotte course when you take-in Wednesday’s Pro-Am.

And while Tweedie was in Sydney late in December 2013 to witness McIlroy capture the Australian Open today’s blistering new Quail Hollow course record setting third round 61 that handed McIlroy a four-shot leading cushion was very special to McCormick.

Mitchell Tweedie (left) with McIlroy along with caddy J P Fitzgerald plus manager Sean O’Flaherty (right) following McIlroy’s 2013 Australian Open success at Royal Sydney

McCormick’s now a resident professional at McIlroy’s beloved Holywood Golf Club in eastern Belfast.

However McCormick had caddied for McIlroy when the now four-time Major winner first shot a 61 in the 2005 North of Ireland Amateur Open at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy was 16 years of age and no doubt McCormick not that much older.

“They were both incredible rounds of golf but then today’s round, given the environment and the atmosphere of a huge PGA Tour event was just incredible,” said McCormick.

McIlroy then singled out his close friends for praise and the part they do play such as when Tweedie accompanied McIlroy to Sydney and with McIlroy returning home for Christmas with his only victory of 2013, but a victory that proved the spring-board into 2014 and with McIlroy last year winning two Majors, a first WGC title and the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth.

“It’s always nice having two of my best mates out with me on Tour, and I guess it’s special for Ricky as he was my caddy when I shot that 61 at Royal Portrush,” said McIlroy.

“I always seem to play well when they are out on Tour as they keep me relaxed but also is a good frame of mind.”