Rory McIlroy: Number one in the world so far says the peak of his career as an open winner in 2014
McIlroy returned to action on Thursday in the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas
. Rory McIlroy has said that winning The Open in 2014 on the same course with fellow countryman Fred Daly triumphing in 1947 is the highlight of his career so far.
The Holywood golfer looks back on one of his four big wins in the last Re-run edition of BBC Sport NI, which will take place on BBC2 NI at 20:15 BST on Sunday.
McIlroy raised the Claret Jug at Hoylake, where Daly was the first Irishman to do so 67 years earlier.
"Growing up, The Open was the biggest tournament in the world," he said.
"To be able to win it and win it with my parents and friends, I stand out as my greatest achievement to date. It was very special.
" I was very proud to put my name next to Fred and so many others who have won that trophy. "
The world's current number one revealed that his mother played a leading part in the celebrations when he first presented her with the trophy.
" I probably regretted it because the first thing she did was fill with Jägermeister, which was not a good move, "he quipped.
Two years after that win at Liverpool, McIlroy had his first Irish Open success when he won in the K Club in an event hosted by the Rory Foundation. [1 9459002]
The 31-year-old, who returned to competitive action at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas on Thursday, donated £ 515,000 Irish Open first prize to a charity.
World number one McIlroy will not be afraid to travel to Europe
"The Irish Open meant a lot to me. I promised to give all my prize money to charity, which I was very proud of," he continued.
"It's great to win you nationally open and it's great to achieve these things, but what it meant to other people and the fact that victory helped so many people is what I'm most proud of "
It was a dramatic finale at the Kildare site that led to McIlroy securing his first win of the season.
With Scotland's three-hole shot at Scotland's goal, he delivered excellent second shots on the 16th and 18th to help him win a birdie and eagle that saw him win three times.
"The one on the 16th was definitely the one who won me the tournament. They are two of the best fairway wood shots I've ever struck," he said.
"But the one on the 16th was one I really had to take off. It was a wet, cold day, and blowing the wind n in two helped me get a two-shot swing It was fun. "
Sunday's Sport Re-Run program will be available Monday from the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.