“Water is so merciless!” | McIlroy’s mishap as he steps out in his bare feet to take a shot
In the third round of the Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches, Rory McIlroy was eliminated after a dreadful two-hole stretch at PGA National’s notorious Bear Trap.
After hitting three birdies in a row to begin the back nine, McIlroy had closed to within two strokes of the lead.
However, the World No. 2’s round took a turn for the worst when he bogeyed the par-3 15th and triple-bogeyed the par-4 16th.
The 16th hole at PGA National is the hardest on the course, and McIlroy split the middle of the fairway.
However, McIlroy made a mistake with his approach shot and discovered the water immediately off the green, as has been the case for much of the week.
McIlroy chose to play the shot in an effort to save par even though his ball was barely in the water. He did this by gently moving a rope.
Tiger Woods has confirmed that Rory McIlroy will be competing in his next golf event!
McIlroy sprayed his ball out after removing his right shoe and sock.
Regretfully, the ball struck the bank ahead of him and returned to the ocean.
After that, McIlroy dropped back, played the ball to ten feet, and missed the putt.
This week’s 16th hole triple-bogey seven was only the third one.
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Rory McIlroy unraveling at PGA National pic.twitter.com/60qCCZKMoP
— Gator Wagers (@WagersGator) March 2, 2024
The par-3 17th hole was McIlroy’s next lost opportunity at a birdie, but he did make a birdie on the par-5 18th to finish at one over 72.
McIlroy is now six strokes behind the leaders in the competition, Shane Lowry, Austin Eckroat, and David Skinns, at 7 under par.
Lowry, a past Open champion, shot a strong 5-under 66 to get to 13-under par. American Eckroat (68) and Englishman Skinns (66) both joined him.
After a 66, Min Woo Lee of Australia is also in the running at 10-under par.
On 8-under par, overnight leader Bud Cauley dropped back into the pack after shooting a drab 74.
