Rory McIlroy Hits Bizarre One-Swing, Two-Balls shot at Open Championship

Newsweek

4 days ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Whenever we think we've seen everything that can happen on the course, golf always proves to us that it's an endless source of surprises. If you don't believe this, just look at what happened to Rory McIlroy on the 11th hole during the second round of the Open Championship.
It's well known that the tee shot on that hole is one of the most difficult to execute at Royal Portrush, with most balls ending up in the native area to the right of the fairway. If that's the reality for the professional stars, imagine what it must be like for the amateurs who play there day in, day out.
Well, McIlroy sent his tee shot into the rough, close to the native area to the right of the fairway and, naturally, went to play his second shot from there. The ball didn't have a terrible lie, so everything pointed to it being an easy one for the Northern Irishman.
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts after unearthing an old golf ball as he plays his own ball from the rough on the 11th hole on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush...
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts after unearthing an old golf ball as he plays his own ball from the rough on the 11th hole on day three of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 19, 2025. More
ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP/Getty Images
And it was, but at the same time, it was one of the most bizarre situations ever seen in golf. It so happened that McIlroy's ball ended up lying exactly on top of another ball that was completely buried in the ground. Undoubtedly a ball that someone had given up for lost, and it's impossible to determine how long it had been there.
McIlroy's swing sent HIS ball 117 yards into the fairway, but it also unearthed THE OTHER BALL, as can be clearly seen in the video of the moment circulating on social media. The Northern Irishman was suddenly attending two balls: his own, traveling toward the hole, and the other resting at his feet.
No violation, Just Another Bizarre Situation in Golf
Naturally, there were likely initial doubts about whether McIlroy had hit his own ball, which could result in penalties. However, one only has to watch the video to realize there was no infraction there.
Wait ... what?! What are the odds? 🤯
Watch @TheOpen live on NBC. pic.twitter.com/d2NQCGeF48 — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 19, 2025
The five-time major champion ended up making bogey on the hole, but it was just a blip in the tremendous charge he made during the moving day to get into contention. On the front nine he carded three birdies without bogeys, while he reacted to his bogey on the 11th hole with a tremendous eagle on the 12th, including a 56-foot putt that brought the crowd to their feet.
He added another birdie on the 15th without any other bogey, finishing at 5-under for the round and 8-under for the first 54 holes of the Open Championship. This put him tied for fifth place, with the round still to end.
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