Rory McIlroy is back in action at this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, and he showed why he is one of the world’s best players when using his imagination around the gren
Rory McIlroy once again left golf fans amazed on Thursday, after the world No. 3 golfer saved par by putting with the back of his putter whilst hanging over a water hazard in the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy is in DP World Tour action for the second-straight week, having finished agonisingly short of victory at the Irish Open at Royal County Down last Sunday. Looking to put that behind him, the four-time major winner is looking for his second win around Wentworth, and has enjoyed a strong start.
A packed out crowd has descended on the home of the DP World Tour to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s best players, with former champion McIlroy headlining the field in Surrey.
Ever the entertainer, the Northern Irishman left those watching in awe in the early stages, after finding himself in trouble at the par-four eighth. After playing his tee shot down the left-hand side of the fairway, McIlroy’s second shot saw him finish dangerously close to the water protecting the green.
When he got up to his ball, he realised just how close to the drink, forcing him to hit his putter left-handed in order to get club on ball. With the Sky Sports commentary team describing his brave third shot as ‘box office’, McIlroy’s invention saw him roll the ball up to six-feet to give him a chance of saving par.
And the four-time major champion took full advantage, sinking his next attempt to keep him at three-under-par for the tournament, having made four birdies on the bounce between the third and sixth. Golf fans watching on at McIlroy’s creativity were unsurprisingly left impressed.
Rory McIlroy using his putter BACKWARDS! 😮#BMWPGA | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/yjHNboNqg0
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) September 19, 2024
Responding on social media to a clip of McIlroy’s backward putt, one fan tweeted: “Almost no stance, great improvisation,” whilst another posted: “Quite certain Rory can hit with the back of his clubs better than I can with the face.” It proved to be a solid opening day for the 2014 champion.
Having saved par at the eighth, his fifth birdie of the day arrived one hole later at the par-four ninth, to ensure the Northern Irishman made the turn at four-under, one shot short of early leader – and another former champion – Danny Willett. A steady start to the back nine followed, before the birdies returned.
Once again the 35-year-old was catching the eye of those watching him, this time at the par-five 12th. After hitting a superb drive down the fairway, McIlroy’s approach into the green saw the club head of his iron fly off as he made contact with the ball.
With the ball drawing towards the putting surface, the Northern Irishman’s club head followed, as it tumbled its way down the fairway. McIlroy was left as shocked as anyone, and despite the club malfunction, the world No. 3 still found the green before two-putting for birdie.
Another birdie would follow for McIlroy at the 13th, before he endured a tough finish, bogeying the par-five 18th on his final of the day, to end round one at five-under.
