PGA Tour: Rory McIlroy Unearths Second Ball From The Rough at The Open
Rory McIlroy pulled a ball from the thick rough, held it up in front of him, and burst into laughter. It was one of the most puzzling moments he experienced on a golf course and perhaps one of the most frustrating as well. McIlroy was on a third-round charge at The Open Championship on Saturday, scoring birdies and eliciting roars from the enthusiastic crowds that could be heard from half a mile away in this part of his native Northern Ireland.
What threw him off was almost a trick of the mind download download 777pub. With a single swing of his wedge, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough on the right side of the fairway at the 11th hole, but he also unearthed another ball that had been hidden beneath the turf without his knowledge. The second ball popped out and settled between his feet, leaving McIlroy pleasantly surprised. “I have another golf ball,” he said with a puzzled smile to those around him after picking it up. “That is the most weird, ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,” he remarked later.
Rory McIlroy displayed an old ball that he dug up while hitting out of the rough on the 11th hole on Saturday. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Indeed, this was just one highlight of his roller-coaster round of 5-under 66, which McIlroy described as “incredible” and an “absolute pleasure.” He started with three birdies in the first four holes and had that bizarre moment on No. 11 leading to his only bogey. He then made a comeback with an eagle from 55 feet on No. 12, producing “one of the largest roars I’ve ever heard on a golf course,” and scored another birdie on No. yono app 15 when his approach hit the flagstick and stopped just a foot from the pin. It was quintessential McIlroy, but perhaps not enough to keep pace with the leader.
At the end of a thrilling day on the links along the North Atlantic, McIlroy managed to trim just one shot off his deficit to leader Scottie Scheffler. The gap now stood at six shots to a player McIlroy labelled as “inevitable.” “The only thing that I can hope for is I get off to the same start as today, get the crowd really going,” said McIlroy, who was tied for fourth place. “Then hopefully he (Scheffler) might hear that a couple of groups back and feel some pressure.”
At times, it seemed like McIlroy—dressed in Tiger Woods’ signature red—had the backing of all of Northern Ireland on a beautiful day when the locals came out in droves to cheer for their favorite son. He received a rock-star welcome at every tee, along with friendly pats on the back as he worked his way out of trouble on No. 17. This was Rory-mania in full effect, the latest and most thrilling chapter of a homecoming that had been three months in the making since winning the Masters to join the career Grand Slam club. “It’s almost a celebration of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” McIlroy shared. “I want to celebrate with them, too.” He added, “I’ve really tried to embrace everything this week. I’m having an incredible time. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself, and I feel like I’ve given myself half a chance now.”
Six years ago, The Open returned to Royal Portrush for the first time since 1951. Back then, McIlroy shot 79 on the first day and missed the cut, unable to cope with the expectations of a home crowd. This week, however, he has embraced the pressure and thrived under it. Unfortunately for his many fans, Scheffler has been a thorn in his side.
On Saturday morning, McIlroy spent time watching two rugby matches—New Zealand vs. France and then Australia vs. lucky88 casino the British and Irish Lions—to distract himself from the task at hand. On Sunday, he plans on watching the movie “Oppenheimer.” Afterward, he will look for the tools to challenge Scheffler jollyph .com. A second claret jug would be a remarkable achievement for McIlroy. But regardless of the outcome, it’s been a joyful homecoming for him.
“It’s absolutely incredible to play in front of these fans,” McIlroy expressed. “I’m just so excited to have one more day to experience this.” What do you think McIlroy’s chances are of overcoming the six-shot deficit? laro online
