'We don’t see that very often' - Rory McIIroy twice smashes club into the sand after mistake at the US Open
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Updated 16/06/2022 at 17:53 GMT
Rory McIlroy is one of the favourites for glory at the US Open. The world No. 3 had navigated his way safely through much of his opening round at the Country Club in Brookline, but caught a tough break and smashed his club into the sand in frustation after being left with a horrible lie in a bunker on Thursday. McIlroy comes into the tournament after winning the Canadian Open.
Rory McIlroy assesses a shot a shot during the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts
Image credit: Getty Images
Rory McIroy took his frustration out on the sand after being left in a tricky spot during the opening round of the US Open.
McIlroy had navigated his way round his opening 13 holes impressively, and sat one shot off the lead at that point.
His 14th hole was a driveable par four and McIlroy took aim, but leaked his shot to the right.
At first glance it appeared the ball had found the bunker, but unfortunately for McIlroy it stayed in the rough just above the face of the bunker.
He was left with a terrible stance, with the ball way above his feet, and he was only able to move the ball about five yards forward into another bunker.
After seeing the ball drop in the bunker, McIroy took two swipes at the sand - in what was a rare show of negative emotion.
“We don’t see that very often,” was the call from the commentary box. “It was a tough break.”
To the world No. 3’s immense credit, he splashed out of the bunker and rolled in the putt for his par.
Speaking following his opening round of 67, McIlroy said: "I felt a bit hard done by with the tee shot for it to end where it did.
"It was a big up and down. I wanted to play bogey-free, I did not do that with the bogey on the last, but I wanted to try to shoot a round of golf on a tough course without a bogey. I managed that for 17 holes but did not finish it off.”
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