Ulstermen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell were feeling the luck of the Irish today after an amazing round of 58 at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China.

For McIlroy, it was the perfect antidote to the disappointment of missing out on winning the European Tour.

According to reports in The Belfast Telegraph, McIlroy looked relaxed and played brilliantly. He was helped by teaming up with his good friend, McDowell, who also played brilliantly.

McDowell and McIlroy had 12 birdies and an eagle, ending up 14 under par, far ahead of Argentinians Rafa Echenique and Tano Goya.

“Team golf is special and it is great to be playing with a really good friend,” said McDowell.

“It would be cool to win this competition.”

Of his dazzling 58, McIlroy joked: “It's the best score I have ever had. We got off to a great start and from there we kept it going and birdied the holes other teams weren't getting birdies on.”