Pictures: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy fine-tune their Open prep in Ballybunion

The pair have been enjoying a round at Ballybunion Golf Course this morning.

Chasing flag sticks: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy took to Ballybunion on Thursday morning as they tuned up for next week's British Open at St Andrews. Pic: Francis Bennett

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy finetuned their preparations for The Open with a round in Ballybunion Golf Course this morning. 

Close eye: Tiger Woods tracks his ball on a day when the winds weren't at their most vicious. Pic Francis Bennett

The pair played in the JP McManus Pro-Am at the start of the week, and having enjoyed their two-day outing at Adare Manor,  they've stuck around the south to fit in a couple of practice holes at the coastal course.

Informed audience: Rory McIlroy is watched by an army of Ballybunion caddies. Pic Francis Bennett

Woods has since spoken of his admiration for the Pro-Am, saying he is already looking forward to the next outing at the Limerick course.

Getting back in the swing: Tiger Woods' Thursday round in Ballybunion continues his low-key preparations for St. Andrews. Pic Francis Bennett

McIlroy - who currently sits as number two in the rankings - will be joined by Woods at The Open at St. Andrews next week. 

The Open tees off a week from today, on Thursday, 10th July. 

All smiles: The pair who have 19 Majors between them were in relaxed mood ahead of mixing it with a glittering field in Scotland. Pic Francis Bennett

Waves crashing, wind blowing off the water, two fellas talking about ball flight. Pretty surreal scene from Rory and Tiger's buddies trip to Ballybunion today (via aidohanrahan IG) pic.twitter.com/xz7WxyMWsH

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) July 7, 2022

The pair are not the first pro-golfers to play a round in Ballybunion in the last week. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns warmed up for the Pro-Am, causing a raft of excitement among locals.

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns arrived to tee it up on our Old Course. Pictured here with course Head Pro Brian O Callaghan and starter P.J. Houlihan. Credit: Ballybunion Golf Course / Instagram.