Rory McIlroy’s performance in the third round of the Open Championship suffered an unusual setback on Saturday, when he made an unexpected shot on the 11th hole. With a single swing of his club, McIlroy not only hit the designated ball out of the rough, to the right of the fairway, but also knocked out another ball that was buried under the turf. The second ball emerged from the ground, surprising McIlroy, who picked it up and examined it with confusion.
Subsequently, McIlroy reacted with humor, throwing the unknown ball into a nearby bush. NBC Sports commentator and former caddie John Wood, recounted that McIlroy, astonished, asked him if he had ever witnessed anything similar. The shot turned out to be deficient, not reaching the green, which prevented him from achieving par. The bogey, the first of his round, put him at 2 under par for the day and 5 under par in the tournament at Royal Portrush. McIlroy recovered from this unusual moment with an eagle on the 12th hole, which drew applause from the public. The golfer had achieved birdies on three of his first four holes and then maintained par until the unusual moment on the 11th hole.McIlroy: Unexpected turn at The Open slows his progress, and then an eagle!
