RORY MCILROY suffered an unfortunate moment at the US Open as a woman picked up his BALL after a wayward shot.
The six-time major champion was on the fourth hole when a shot from out of the thick rough hit a cart path and settled near some fans.
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A spectator appeared to pick up Rory McIlroy’s ball during his opening round at the US OpenCredit: Refer to source
One oblivious fan – or perhaps a souvenir hunter – appeared to bend down and either touch or briefly pick up the ball, with the Northern Irishman blissfully unaware.
In brilliant footage from Shinnecock Hills, New York, the entire crowd yell “NO” in unison as they realise what is about to happen.
Fortunately for McIlroy his next shot was unaffected as he made par on his way to a first round, one-under-par 69.
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Still, fans on X were fuming at the gaffe as they fumed at the spectator to be BANNED.
One said: “If you pick up a golf ball at a golf tournament, not only should be kicked off the premises, but never be allowed to attend another in your life.”
Another added: “Who at a golf tournament doesn’t know you can’t pick up a golf ball?”
A third said: “She saw everyone running towards it + assumed they were going to pick it up. Treated it like a ball souvenir at a baseball game.”
McIlroy ended up shooting a one-under-par 69 at Shinnecock Hills Credit: Alamy
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While a fourth simply asked: “How brain dead do you have to be?”
McIlroy’s round at a fog-shrouded Shinnecock promised to be even better as he held the outright lead at three under par before a bogey-bogey finish.
But it was still an ELEVEN shot improvement on his house of horrors 80 to start this event the last time it was held at this fiendish course in 2018,
Before that disappointing finish, McIlroy’s thrilling exploits had lifted the fans’ spirits after a two-hour delay because of the thick fog that descended just after the first few groups had teed off.
Not bad for a player who claimed he was “a bit of a part-timer these days” after knocking four tournaments off his schedule in the build-up to the last two US Opens.
The world No2 is famous for his driving prowess. But it was his putter that did most of the heavy lifting this time.
He holed more than a hundred feet of putts on these treacherous greens, helping himself to an eagle and three birdies.
The double Masters champion’s effort was even more impressive as the Long Island course was also buffeted by strong winds, turning an already tough course into an even more ferocious test of golf.
McIlroy, 37, may be cutting down on his playing schedule, but there were certainly no signs of rust as he got off to a dream start.
After starting with a par on the tenth, the world No 2 was not too sure whether he had over-cooked his tee shot at the par three 11th, yelling “Sit, sit, sit!”
His ball did as it was told, leaving McIlroy an eleven footer for birdie. He poured that one in, and put his name on top of the early leaderboard at two under par by sinking a 25 footer on the 12th.
But trouble lurks everywhere at Shinnecock, and the six-time Major champion found it by sending his approach at 13 through the green into a treacherous run off area.
He was unable to save par there, and was given a reminder of just how strong the wind was, as it blew his cap off on the next tee. It was not the last time that happened!
The 620 yards par five 15th was playing into the teeth of that wind. And after finding an awkward lie next to a fairway bunker, McIlroy could only hack it out, and still ahd 300 yards left for his third shot.
He had to settle for a bogey six there, and he needed his next move to run in the right direction – and he achieved it with a spectacular 151 yard approach at the third, which left him a tap-in birdie.
There were more fireworks on the only other par five at Sinnecock, the 597 yards fifth.
McIlroy unleashed a 396 yards drive, a monster blow even though it was wind-assisted.
That left him just an eight iron, which he landed just over 11 feet from the flag. The way his putter was co-operating, the eagle putt was a mere formality.
He could not reproduce the magic after leaving himself a couple of ten footers for par on his last two holes.
But if Mcilroy has been offered a one under par 69 before hitting his first shot, he would probably have bitten your hand off.
His playing partners, Ryder Cup team-mates Tommy Fleeetwood and Ludvig Aberg, could also be happy with their starts .
Fleetwood did not threaten a repeat of the course record 63 that helped him finish runner-up here eight years ago, but he was still smiling shot a level par 70, while Aberg matched McIlroy’s 69.
Meanwhile world No1 Scottie Scheffler’s opening round struggles continued as he ground out a two over par 72, while defending champion JJ Spaun will do well to make the cut after an opening 77.
