With Jordan Spieth winning the Masters and becoming the “new face of golf,” and 26-year-old American Rickie Fowler breaking through at the Players Championship last week, world No. 1 Rory McIlroy’s brilliant run of three top-10 finishes — including a win in the Match Play Championship — has been somewhat overshadowed. On Saturday at Quail Hollow, McIlroy proved just how consistently dominant he has been all this time, launching into the tournament lead with an 11-under par round of 61, breaking his own course record.

McIlroy began the day with two pars and then ripped off 11 birdies over the next 14 holes, including a run of five consecutive birdies on the back nine.

As McIlroy ended his round only two golfers, Webb Simpson and Robert Streb, were within seven shots.

McIlroy won his first career PGA Tour victory at Quail Hollow in 2010, and five years later he’ll be the heavy favorite to win his 11th PGA Tour event Sunday.