A FEAST of golf and celebrity was served up at the Irish Open yesterday as sporting stars shared the fairways with leading figures from the entertainment world.
A day before the real action begins, a Pro Am event drew thousands of visitors to Portstewart Golf Club.
[ See the latest scores from day one of the Irish OpenOpens in new window ]
David O'Reilly from Co Down was among those delighted to be able to catch a glimpse of his golfing heroes.
"To get up and close to some of best golfers in the world is a bit surreal and for them to take time and pose for a picture with my son is fantastic," he said.
But for a group of women from nearby Portrush, golf was not so much the attraction, with one saying they were there "to see the real star, Jamie Dornan".
Actors Jamie Dornan & James Nesbitt take to the fairways of @PortstewartGC for @DDFIrishOpen Pro Am pic.twitter.com/tcnyq0m13s
— Suzanne McGonagle (@SuzMcGonagle) July 5, 2017
Among the most eagerly followed groups on the course was tournament host Rory McIlroy, who teamed up with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and former champion jockey AP McCoy.
Guardiola was in relaxed form as he joked around with McIlroy, the morning after appearing on stage at a charity night in Belfast for the Holywood golfer.
He also impressed the crowds with some of his golfing skills, including one chip from the edge of the green into the hole which saw him skip for joy.
But it was Dornan who was the firm crowd favourite, taking to the fairways alongside fellow actor James Nesbitt and golfer Justin Rose.
Great shot from @MattFitz94 at the @DDFIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/hbe8tnVMrV
— Suzanne McGonagle (@SuzMcGonagle) July 6, 2017
While the two non-professionals joked as they prepared to tee off, the star of The Fall admitted he was feeling the pressure.
"I feel a bit sick to be honest - I don't like playing golf in front of people," Dornan said.
"I'm a bit bewildered by it all, I just got off a flight so I feel a bit out of it. But it is going to be good fun and look at the day we got, it's going to be class up here."
.@McIlroyRory on the 1st tee at @PortstewartGC @DDFIrishOpen pic.twitter.com/6kAN8ULXCt
— Suzanne McGonagle (@SuzMcGonagle) July 5, 2017
It appeared his nerves were well placed, as his first drive veered close to Portstewart beach, closely followed by a similarly disastrous shot by Nesbitt.
Other well-known faces yesterday included Northern Ireland football manager Michael O'Neill, Westlife star Shane Filan, Hollywood actor Aidan Quinn and ex-snooker player Dennis Taylor.
TV presenter Vernon Kay was also among the celebrity golfers.
"It's the first time I have played in Ireland and it's a real privilege, an honour to get invited by Rory and his foundation - I think they do a lot of great work," he said.
"To play on a course like out here for a first time in Ireland is nerve-wrecking but also so exciting - I'm absolutely buzzing."
The tournament action proper began today with McIlroy seeking to become the first player in 20 years to win back-to-back Irish Open titles.