Rory McIlroy found himself in a puzzling situation during the third round of The Open Championship, laughing as he picked up an unexpected golf ball from the rough. While making a strong push up the leaderboard and thrilling the enthusiastic galleries in Northern Ireland, McIlroy unintentionally struck another ball buried beneath the turf when he swiped at the grass. The secondary ball popped out as he swung, much to his astonishment.
With a bemused smile, McIlroy remarked on the oddity of the occurrence, calling it “the most weird, ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen” and acknowledging that it could only happen on a links course like Royal Portrush. This unusual event overshadowed a remarkable round where McIlroy ended up scoring a 5-under 66, bouncing back from a bogey on the 11th hole with a spectacular eagle and further birdies throughout his game.
Despite competing well and rallying the crowd’s energy, McIlroy only managed to reduce his deficit to leader Scottie Scheffler by a single shot, leaving him six strokes behind. He recognised the challenge ahead but maintained a positive outlook, saying he’d give it a strong effort in the final round.
As crowds cheered him on, McIlroy relished the support from the locals, contrasting this event with his experience six years prior when he crumbled under similar expectations. He embraced the pressure this time, declaring it a celebratory week filled with joy and appreciation for his accomplishments.
Scheffler, on the other hand, dominated the leaderboard and appeared unfazed, executing his game plan with precision. He positioned himself four shots ahead going into the final round, showcasing his skill on the challenging course. The day’s play concluded with Marc Leishman, the sole Australian remaining in the competition, delivering his best performance of the week with a 68.
Overall, while McIlroy encountered curious hurdles, he remained optimistic about the day to come, demonstrating resilience and an eagerness to take on the formidable competition ahead.