A PGA Tour official has been left with a broken hand after being struck by a Rory McIlroy tee shot during the opening round of The Open Championship at St Andrews. McIlroy is chasing his first major since 2014, after an eight-year drought.
The Northern Irishman got his hunt for a second Claret Jug title underway in impressive fashion after carding a six-under-par 66 at St Andrews, to leave him two shots behind early leader Cameron Young. Despite his successful start, it was not all plain sailing for the four-time major winner.
PGA Tour social media man Charlie Kane revealed that a wayward tee shot from McIlroy actually fractured his hand as he watched on.
Kane revealed the injuries on Twitter, as he shared some photos of his bruised hand, as well as his trip to St Andrews hospital and a pose in front of the famous grandstands equipped with a sling. Along with the pictures, he wrote: “Fractured hand after Rory McIlroy’s drive landed on my knuckle.”
Revealing that McIlroy did in fact give a warning shout of fore, Kane added: “He shouted fore. I did not heed the warning.” The last time McIlroy shot an opening round 66 at The Open, the Northern Irishman went on to win the Claret Jug at Hoylake back in 2014.
Speaking about his impressive start on day one, the world No. 2 told BBC Sport: “I think anytime you shoot 66 in the first round of any golf tournament I don’t think you are going to be too far away. I have obviously come in here playing some nice golf, and it was great to get off to a good start.
“It hasn’t been my strong suit in the last few seasons. But the last three majors, the PGA, the US Open and now here I have got off to a really nice start. That is all you can ask for." Prior to his opening round, the Northern Irishman had revealed he was hoping to play more ‘boring’ golf at St Andrew's this week.
Will McIlroy end his wait for a fifth major at St Andrews this week? Let us know in the comments section below.
Asked whether his day one 66 was ‘boring’ enough for him, he responded with a laugh : “Yeah, I will take it boring all day if that is what boring is. There were a couple of adventures in there too, but for the most part it was pretty stress free.” Speaking about his plan for the rest of the week, he went on: “I think obviously I can’t be getting ahead of myself.
“I just have to keep playing the way I know I am playing and if I can do that, this course does give you a lot of opportunities so I have got birdie the holes you should birdie here, try to limit mistakes on the tough holes and if I can keep doing that for three more days I should have a great chance.” McIlroy will kick off his second round tomorrow [Friday] at 2:59pm BST.
