Brooks Koepka, a five-time Major winner, Xander Schauffele, No 14 in the world, and Irish ace, Shane Lowry, all big names.
Nicolai Hojgaard, who was one of the overnight leaders in the race for the Genesis Scottish Open title, also walked by, but they were not the central focus of fans on or near the ninth hole at The Renaissance Club.
You could see the hoards massing in the distance, covering every inch of the undulations on the links golf course. Their gaze for three men.
Applause resonated across the wind-blown course as the trio continued their journey, but their backs were turned to the ninth fairway. The Poznan, if you like, without the jumping.
The army of foot soldiers moved ever closer, young and old, to the par-three, 218-yard hole. The other players came and went, not without some difficulty. They were appreciated, but quietly.
The east wind, which had whipped up during the day, was causing problems now. Tufts of grass were thrown into the air by previous caddies and combatants. Much chat went on before a tee was laid in the ground.
The crowd, not sparce but not huge either, around the green applauded politely, as the combatants marched on towards the first, tucked in a corner behind the fan zone.
They appreciated the difficulty for all the players with the freshening wind, but most were there for one reason. Three people. They chatted excitedly about who was to appear.
Fans parted to allow the participants in this mini-drama to appear. Rory McIlroy, the world No 2, and a darling of home fans, strode purposely onto the tee, through a phalanx of supporters held back by thin, blue ropes and ushered by blue-shirted marshals.
Others in the pairing strode purposefully towards the appointed spot. They weree Chris Gotterup and Robert McIntyre.
McIlroy was first to proceed, after a confab with his caddie. His shot sailed into the blue sky but failed to get close. Major disappointment for the fans. A smattering of applause.
Gotterup, the defending champion, fired. Applause. Robert MacIntyre, Scotland’s best hope this week, is a left-handed golfer. Caddies and the other players all moved to the other side of the tee. The Oban-born player took aim and sent the ball close. Cheers.
More cheers minutes later when he sunk for a welcome birdie. The others left the hole with pars, McIlroy having negotiated the first nine – he started from the tenth in four-under, taking his overall total to minus nine and into a joint lead with early starter, Jordan Smith.
Earlier, Smith, from Witlshire, shot a seven-under 63 on the course, finishing around lunchtime. McIlroy had not started his round by then.
Back to the favoured trio who marched off the green and onto buggies for the short journey to the first. The masses then pondered where to go next as they would have been unable to reach the next tee at the same time as the players.
Back at the ninth, only a few fans were left to watch the players to come. Peace, perfect peace, well almost. Celebrity rules in today’s world, golf included.
Still, the sun continued to shine over the now-parched 7,282 links course. What we had witnessed was pure theatre. The prospects are there for more over the next two rounds. We shall see. The event finishes on Sunday and then it is The Open at Birkdale.
BUGGIE BREAK: Rory McIlroy and co get a lift to the first through the fans. Picture Nigel Duncan
