Rory McIlroy with his driver is perhaps the most lethal combo in golf.
And on Saturday, we again got to witness the world No. 2 pull off an incredible shot with the big stick. McIlroy drove the par-4 10th green during the third round, the ball coming to rest on the front of the putting surface while the group in front was still finishing the hole.
How McIlroy did this? The hole is a dogleg right, but over the years as players have gotten longer, more and more have been cutting the corner and going over houses to get themselves closer to the elevated green, usually landing within 100 yards on the fairway or rough.
Well, McIlroy went further right than likely anyone ever has. And the result? Well, watch here:
The first player to drive the 10th green at Bay Hill in the ShotLink era (since 2003) 🤯
@McIlroyRory goes full send! pic.twitter.com/FWe89CatmC— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 9, 2024
McIlroy is the first player to drive the green in the ShotLink era (since 2003). And there’s a good chance he’s the first to drive the green ever.
He said he had never tried to drive it, either.
“No, but I wasn’t as long as I am now,” McIlroy said. “I’m definitely a good few yards longer over the last couple of years than I have been in the past. I thought if I got it in one of the two front traps that would be a good leave to hit something up the green, but, yeah, I wasn’t trying to hit it on the green, but it was nice to walk up and see it on there.”
The tee shot traveled 365 yards, landing on the front of the green. With a back right pin, he was able to two putt for birdie.
What a shot.
