Rory McIlroy had a weird encounter with a banana peel lodged in lengthy grass as he shot a three-under 68 on Saturday on the Australian Open.
His spherical left him 9 strokes behind chief Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who made birdie putts on 17 and 18 for a five-under 66 to take a seat at 14 below for the event.
Cam Smith, the 2022 British Open champion who ended his streak of lacking seven consecutive cuts this 12 months on Friday, additionally shot 66 Saturday and was tied for second, two strokes behind.
On the par-four second, McIlroy – who’s now tied for twenty fourth at 5 below – missed the green proper and his ball ended up in some lengthy grass and below a banana peel which had apparently been thrown away by a spectator.
Golfers are allowed to maneuver unfastened impediments so long as the participant’s ball does not transfer within the course of, but when the ball had shifted because of attempting to maneuver a unfastened merchandise, the participant incurs a penalty.
McIlroy tried to hit his ball via the banana peel again on to the green, however after it solely travelled 30 toes he ended up making a double-bogey six.
“It was sort of a double whammy – it was in the tough grass, and under a banana skin,” McIlroy mentioned. “But I shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”
The Northern Irishman made birdie on the following gap and after one other bogey and birdie to finish the entrance 9, shot a one-over 35 on the flip.
On the again 9 which was performed in usually regular drizzle, McIlroy had 4 birdies, together with on the ultimate two holes as he had performed on Friday, when he additionally shot 68.
“I didn’t get off to a great start, but I played well from there,” mentioned McIlroy, who made 5 birdies on his last 10 holes Saturday.
“I am probably going to be too far behind to challenge tomorrow.
“However I might love the course to maintain getting firmer and firmer . . . and if it does I feel I might go on the market and shoot one thing very low, eight or 9 below.”
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Relive McIlroy making three birdies over the ultimate 4 holes to make the lower through the second spherical of the Crown Australian Open
McIlroy, whose pre-tournament information convention included feedback that Royal Melbourne was not one of the best sandbelt course within the metropolis, had a wild opening spherical on Thursday containing six bogeys and 5 birdies.
The Race to Dubai winner is making his first look on the Australian Open since 2015, and likewise received the occasion in 2013.
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Have a look again at how McIlroy received the Stonehaven Cup with an exciting victory within the 2013 contest
The winner of the Australian Open, which is the second occasion on the European tour’s new schedule of tournaments for late this 12 months and 2026, receives a Masters exemption subsequent 12 months. And the highest three finishers not already exempt will qualify for the British Open in 2026 at Royal Birkdale.
Who will win the Crown Australian Open? Watch all through the week reside on Sky Sports activities. Stay protection continues Saturday from 2.30am on Sky Sports activities Golf. Stream the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, majors and extra with no contract.
