When Rory McIlroy banged his second shot off the flag stick on the 18th green and the ball ricocheted 20 yards sideways onto the fairway, somewhere Tiger Woods smiled knowingly. McIlroy was at even-par at the Masters and preparing for his approach when ESPN’s Nick Faldo noted that the four-time major champion “has a great opportunity. His distance control has been very good.”
Masters 2017: Rory McIlroy caroms ball off flagstick at Augusta
The mishap was reminiscent of Tiger Woods.
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
“Throw one in to avoid putting,” said Faldo, a moment before Rory knocked his approach dead-on to the pin, which cruelly spit the ball to the right and down the slope. A missed kick-in par putt later, and McIlroy ended Friday’s second round with a 1-over 73 to get to 1-over for the week — five behind co-leaders Charley Hoffman and Sergio Garcia.
“This really is a two-shot swing,” said Faldo.
It was certainly unfortunate for McIlroy, who needs a Masters victory to complete the career grand slam, and had many remembering another clang heard ‘round Augusta when Woods’ approach to the 15th green in 2013 caromed off the flag and into the hazard.
No such brouhaha this time for McIlroy, but just another indication that golf is not only hard, but often wicked unfair.
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By Christian D'Andrea
