A triple bogey on hole 16 was the last thing Rory McIlroy needed at the Cognizant Classic – the humilation was just the cherry on top.
Fighting his way into contention on Saturday, it looked the Northern Irishman was gearing up for a final round charge.
Then came the water.
His second shot from the fairway clipped the bank to the right of the green and landed in the drink.
McIlroy could have gone for a drop with the ball slightly submerged but, feeling a tournament was there to be won, rolled up his right trouser leg and took off his cleat.
However, the golfing Gods weren’t with him and his attempt to reach the green ended in disaster.
Wishfully looking towards the pin, the ball fell back to Earth just a yard ahead of him on the bank.
And things got worse as it trickled back into the water and became fully submerged.
After that, McIlroy did opt for the drop – but that was not the end of his misery.
Just when he thought he’d limited the damage for a double bogey, an errant putt cost him another shot.
Golf fans, though, rallied behind him, insisting they would have seen the same result.
One commented: “Me on an average Tuesday afternoon.”
Another added a GIF with men chanting: “One of us.”
While a third said: “We’ve all been there.”
And a fourth posted: “Oh dear, even happens to champions.”
And while it had looked like a charge for the title was one, McIlroy now starts the final round on -7.
That puts him six strokes behind current leaders Shane Lowry, David Skinns, and Austin Eckroat.
News Summary:
- Rory McIlroy suffers embarrassing triple bogey at Cognziant Classic but golf fans say the same thing
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