McIlroy hits historic stone -- and breaks PGA Tour worker's hand -- in eventful first Open spherical
McIlroy hits historic stone -- and breaks PGA Tour worker's hand -- in eventful first Open spherical
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Three consecutive pars adopted, with the 33-year-old's advantageous opening trying set to proceed with a robust drive from the fifth tee. But, extremely, McIlroy's rushing shot was prematurely grounded when it bounced right into a stone in the course of the green.
Formed like miniature tombstones and referred to as March Stones, they mark the perimeters of the unique course, which dates again to the fifteenth century.
Regardless of the stone's finest effort, McIlroy rallied beautifully to birdie the par-5 gap, earlier than rattling two extra in a row to sit down 4-under after simply seven holes.
Talking to reporters after his spherical, the four-time main champion admitted that whereas he hadn't observed the stone's affect on his drive, he had been chatting together with his caddie Harry Diamond concerning the prospect of an unfortunate golfer being compelled to play a shot from behind one.
"I stated to Harry, some poor man goes to have his ball find yourself proper behind that immediately as a result of it is proper within the firing vary, and I do not assume you get a drop," McIlroy stated.
There was additionally a light-hearted jab at spherical companions Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele, who birdied the fifth with none stone intervention.
"I believe I nonetheless hit it previous the opposite two," McIlroy laughed, reflecting on his follow-up shot.
A bogey on the thirteenth offered the one blemish on the Northern Irishman's scorecard, as a closing birdie on the remaining gap noticed the 2014 Champion shut out a 6-under 66, leaving him two photographs behind clubhouse chief Cameron Younger.
"Implausible begin," McIlroy stated. "Simply what you hope will occur if you're beginning off your week.
"I did every part that you just're alleged to do round St Andrews ... It is one other good begin at a significant, three in a row for me now. Trying ahead to the following few days."
But whereas the Claret Jug stays nicely within reach for McIlroy, one in every of his few stray drives was not seen by one unlucky spectator.
Charlie Kane, a PGA Tour worker, tweeted that he had suffered a fractured hand after the golfer's ball hit his knuckle.
Accompanying photos confirmed painful trying bruising, however concluded displaying Kane again out across the course smiling, albeit sporting a sling.
"He shouted fore. I didn't heed the warning," he wrote.
McIlroy is scheduled to tee off for his second spherical at 2:59 p.m. BST (9:59 a.m. ET) Friday.
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