Rory McIlroy was left with one of the most awkward situations of his career when a tee shot went off course and landed right in a fan’s lap during the first round of the DP World Tour Championship.
McIlroy’s drive on the 13th hole at the Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Earth Course went into the crowd before somehow settling in the lap of a woman who was seated on the grass.
McIlroy made light of the situation as he first pretended like he was going to play it as it lies before calling for a rules official. The chief referee arrived to clarify the situation and the fan was eventually allowed to hand the ball back to McIlroy and get to her feet.
McIlroy didn’t actually hit from there. Under the rules of golf, he was allowed a free drop, which he wisely chose to take.
It unfortunately did not work out for him as he made a second consecutive bogey.
Despite those two errant shows, he did still shoot a one-under-par 71. He is four shots off the lead which is jointly held by Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard and French pair Mattieu Pavon and Julien Guerrier.
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The Europe Ryder Cup hero is in action at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai as he looks to end a solid season on a high.
