Playing alongside his dad at this week's Dunhill Links is among the most enjoyable weeks of the year for Rory McIlroy.
The County Down superstar made that assertion ahead of this week's edition of the tournament at St Andrews in Scotland.
He and dad Gerry came second in the team event the last time they competed in it.
READ MORE: Gary Murphy column: Emotional St Andrews return for Rory McIlroy at Dunhill Links
And for all that he is golfing royalty with four majors to his name and still one of the pre-eminent forces in the game, the simple satisfaction of playing alongside his old man is still tough to beat.
He explained to Sky Sports: "It's a lot of fun. When we get to play it certainly is one of the weeks that I look forward to the most.
"Like even just strolling around the course this morning with him, with Danny Willett and with Jimmy Dunne who's a good friend of ours as well.
"You just don't get to do this too often so yeah it's really, really nice.
"As you say we've come close to winning a couple of times before. We were beaten on a count-back the last time we were here.
"I said in the press conference there that I'm probably more focused on the team event than I am on the individual one!"
He was then asked if there was any tinge of sadness around the home of golf for him personally in the wake of letting the chance of landing the 150th Open slip through his grasp only two months ago.
But as usual, the 33-year-old maintained a strong perspective on the wider significance the Old Course has for him.
He added: "No, like I've had so many great memories here over the years. It's the place where I got my tour card, I've played two Open Championships here and played great in both of them.
"I've had so many great times playing with my dad in The Dunhill through the years so all those memories far outweigh what happened in July.
"I wish things had worked out differently but at the same time St Andrews means a lot more to me than just trying to win a Claret Jug."
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