There was much talk of Rory McIlroy feeling the heat, under intense pressure to end an eight year wait for a Major title.

You wouldn't believe it, but McIlroy was laughing and Viktor Hovland, his Ryder Cup teammate, fist-bumped around the Old Course at St Andrews like a couple of friends enjoying a sunny round at the local municipal.

They had never met until the 17th Road Hole, when they were both in trouble.

The duo may have a bit less fun when they set out this afternoon as joint leaders, four shots ahead the chasing pack and with the Claret Jug at their disposal.

McIlroy has been warning of a win like this throughout the season. He was second, fifth, and eighth in the US Majors. He also won two times on the PGA Tour, and is now second in the world rankings.

The Northern Irishman hasn't added any Majors to his four since 2014 but you wouldn't have suspected a monkey on the back of his heart or an intense yearning.

McIlroy looked happy at work, with a spring in the step and a smile on all his faces. McIlroy does what he does well.

Nearly every tee shot was straight, and most of his approaches were flawless. There was even a moment of beauty at the tenth. McIlroy was only a few shots behind the leader for most of the week. But McIlroy's time came when he reached a greenside bunker on the par four.

Co Down, a man from Hollywood pulled out his wedge. Or was it a wand. McIlroy was able to get the lead with three more bounces, a puff of sand and a cheeky roll to the hole.

While the lead was slipping away, the Norwegian Hovland watched, world No 1 Scottie Scheffler saw it all from his 11th tee.

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McIlroy reached out to Harry Diamond and punched the air. The 33-year old suddenly looked like the George Best of golf.

McIlroy will need a Green Jacket at Augusta in order to complete a career Grand Slam. However, a Claret Jug would be just as special at St Andrews, following his Open win at Hoylake.

He was outspoken in his defense of golfing and his condemnation for LIV Golf rebels who threatened to destroy the sport.

He played this game like a man, with his eyes on the highest prizes and not a bagful of Saudi cash.

McIlroy is currently in the top ten at 16 majors, having last won one a biggie at the 2014 US PGA. But he has never looked as good as winning one.

He was relaxed and talking to Diamond about Ireland’s remarkable rugby victory over the All Blacks earlier that day.

McIlroy, Hovland and Cameron Smith were both two shots behind overnight leader Cameron Smith, an Aussie mullet trader. McIlroy was joint second with Hovland at the fifth hole.

The Norwegian was not well-known for his short game and suddenly found a white-hot putter. He went on an incredible blitz of four consecutive birdies. Hovland hit a 38-footer at the third. He then drained another from 42ft and then he landed a 42-footer with four.

The Norwegian shot from 52ft for an eagle at the next hole and gave himself a tap in to reach the front.

Hovland, looking out at a distant leaderboard, was smiling openly, as if to tell the world, "f*** my old boots! I'm leading The Open!".

He then sank the birdie that had looked like a 19-foot routine for another birdie.

McIlroy had hit a few approach shots within Hovland's efforts, but he was unable to see his partner doing the business.

He birdied the fifth hole and the sixth, and after the fireworks from the sandtrap at 10, McIlroy never lost the top spot on the back nine.

In the final group Smith and Cameron Young, an early leader, struggled to keep up.

Aussie Smith double-bogeyed 13th. He stepped into the sand for a lie just outside of the bunker, but he failed to hit his iron shot, and hit gorse bushies.

McIlroy won ahead of Hovland with a 35ft eagle shot and a tap home to take the lead.

McIlroy's unusually consistent round at the 17th finally gave way to a bump.

After driving into the dirt on the left, he drove over the road and nearly up against the wall.

After a decent recovery, he sent a par putt within inches. Hovland saved par by getting up and down from the gravel path next to the road. The pair were now joint-leaders.

McIlroy drove to the Valley of Sin from the front of 18th green, and rolled his eagle-putt within inches. Hovland was also there, holing a tiddler in order to birdie.

Before they went to register their 66s, the duo hugged each other. It might not be as chummy today.