Watch awkward angry Rory McIlroy hurls his driver into a LAKE after bad tee-shot… and has to sheepishly fish it out
ANGRY Rory McIlroy launched his driver into a LAKE after a bad tee-shot.
The Northern Irishman, 35, was in action at the BMW Championship in Denver, Colorado as he bids to qualify for the Tour Championship, and it’s $25MILLION top prize.
But McIlroy has so far struggled to find his best form, ending day two tied for 15th – TEN shots behind leader Adam Scott.
And, McIlroy’s frustrations were plain for everyone to see on the 17th hole, after the four-time Major champion botched a drive – sending it far and wide into the rough.
Reacting to his poor shot, McIlroy tossed his driver away in disgust.
Unfortunately for McIlroy, it travelled further than he anticipated… and straight into a lake.
As the 35-year-old reached down to pick up his tee, he saw the water rippling behind him.
And McIlroy had to sheepishly walk over the the lake’s edge and fish his club out.
He immediately passed it to his caddie who promptly tapped it down with a towel.
And fans have heaped more misery on the golf ace after reacting to his gaffe on X.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
One wrote: “He can’t even get that right… bad golf from Rory the last two weeks.”
A second said: “There’s absolutely no conviction behind that throw. Pathetic performance.”
A third replied: “He had to take the walk of shame to go pull his club out of the water!!”
Some of McIlroy’s frustration will have stemmed from the 16th, where he bogeyed the par-3 to take him back to 1-under for his round.
It’s been a rather patchy period for McIlroy, who finished tied-68th at the FedEx St. Jude Championship last week.
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the world top 50.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
This came after his horror show at The Open saw him fail to make the cut last month.
And to top it all off he came agonisingly close to ending his 10-year wait for a major title at the US Open in June.
With five holes left to play he carded three bogeys to squander a two-shot lead over to American Bryson DeChambeau.
He finished fifth in the Paris Olympics.
In June, McIlroy filed for divorce from wife Erica Stoll following seven years of marriage – before later revealing they have reconciled.
He had begun dating Erica in 2015, a year on from his split with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.
The pair wed two years later, and in 2020 welcomed a baby daughter together.
Who are golf's most famous Wags?
The world's top golfers enjoy an incredible lifestyle - and their Wags lead thrilling lives of their own.
Here are some of the most high-profile beauties…
- This former beauty pageant contestant is now an actress and featured in Sharknado 5.
- The daughter of an ice hockey legend who has been branded the ‘world’s sexiest caddie’.
- A Master golfer raced home from his most recent triumph to be by his wife’s side as she gave birth to their first child.
- An athlete who vaulted her way into a modelling career – and her golfer hubby’s heart.
- A keen tennis player and former competitor in the javelin lived with her ex-world No1 husband for two years before getting together.
- Playing off a handicap of three, this sports reporter could give her fella a run for his money on the greens.
- This low-key beauty got married to a superstar golfer in front of Stevie Wonder, Chris Martin and Niall Horan.
- A former gymnast who has been her husband’s rock for 14 years – he even pays tribute to her on his golf balls.