It was probably the most awkward lie of the day for Rory McIlroy.
The four-time main winner’s tee shot on the par-3 thirteenth gap on the World Tour Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday somehow landed in the lap of a feminine spectator who was to the suitable of the inexperienced.
Amid a lot laughter, the remainder of the spectators retreated, however the lady remained in place, along with her ft crossed and the ball lodged between her legs.
McIlroy went as much as her, scratched his head then feigned a shot, to the amusement of the gallery. McIlroy stood again and mentioned: “Proper, ermm. Referee!”
Rory McIlroy’s tee shot lands on spectator ‘s lap! 🤯#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/Yklsw5Nqhq
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 16, 2023
The match referee arrived and gave McIlroy a drop, saying: “Principally, it is the spot beneath her.”
“You possibly can rise up,” a laughing McIlroy mentioned to the girl, who handed him the ball, stood up, picked up her bag and returned to the gallery to cheers.
McIlroy chipped onto the inexperienced and wound up with a bogey. McIlroy, who already had clinched the highest spot within the DP World Tour rankings getting into the season’s ultimate occasion, shot a 1-under 71 within the first spherical and is 4 photographs behind co-leaders Nicolai Hojgaard, Matthieu Pavon and Julien Guerrier.
The Related Press contributed to this report.