Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 2nd green after putting during the third round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland chips onto the 9th green during the third round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Trick shot: McIlroy charge at British Open derailed in bizarre fashion
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy’s third-round charge at the British Open was derailed in bizarre fashion Saturday when he unwittingly performed a trick shot at the 11th hole.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the 2nd green after putting during the third round of the British Open golf championship at the Royal Portrush Golf Club, Northern Ireland, Saturday, July 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Rory McIlroy’s third-round charge at the British Open was derailed in bizarre fashion Saturday when he unwittingly performed a trick shot at the 11th hole.
With one swish of his club, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough to the right of the fairway but also that had been buried underneath the turf.
The second ball popped out of the ground, much to McIlroy’s surprise. He picked it up and held it out in front of him, looking confused.
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“I have another golf ball,†he said with a smile to those around him.
Rory with the trick shot. Popped that old Pinnacle straight into the air.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf)
His shot wound up being a poor one, coming up short of the green, and he couldn’t get up and down for par. The bogey — the first of his round — dropped him to 2 under for the day and 5 under for the tournament at Royal Portrush, and he was seven shots behind leader Scottie Scheffler.
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