RORY McILORY conjured “one of the best shot ever” as a bunker-chip eagle spearheaded his St Andrews’ title charge on day three. The Northern Ireland star sparked spine-tingling roars from the crowd by holing from the sand 82 feet out on the 10th in a thrilling third-round of the 150th Open. McIlory had warmed up […]
RORY McILORY conjured “one of the best shot ever” as a bunker-chip eagle spearheaded his St Andrews’ title charge on day three.
The Northern Ireland star sparked spine-tingling roars from the crowd by holing from the sand 82 feet out on the 10th in a thrilling third-round of the 150th Open.
McIlory had warmed up with a ninth-hole birdie before joining Norway’s Viktor Hovland in the lead with a “top-10 shot of all time”.
He stepped back twice as he prepared his chip – due to noisy anticipation in the audience behind his left shoulder.
But with the ball squarely in the middle of the bunker, he finally gave it a firm thud, and watched it bounce a couple of metres short before rolling in – almost in a direct line all the way from hit to hole.
Fans erupted like never before this week.
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And it confirmed a McIlroy victory would be hugely popular – as one in the eye for LIV Golf rebels.
The County Down hero, 33, went on to birdie 14 and 18 to finish the day tied for the lead with Hovland on an incredible 16-under.
And he will bid for a first Major in eight long years in the final group on Sunday.
McIlroy has labelled winning at at Andrews as his ‘Holy Grail’.
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He rates victory there – following his Open triumph at Hoylake in 2014 – just above his other remaining golf dream of winning the Masters.
And as he embraced the pressure with his magical eagle, one fan on social media called it “one of the greatest shots I’ve ever seen”.
He added: “Top 10 of all time given the circumstances.
“It’s like hitting a grand slam in the World Series in the 8th inning to take the lead off the best pitcher in baseball.”
Another admirer posted: “Anyone who says golf can’t be exciting doesn’t have a clue what they’re talking about!!!
“@McIlroyRory is this year stepping confidently into the role of golf’s leader. And THAT is very cool to see!!!”
But some St Andrews spectators missed the jaw-dropping chip as they were still trying to find a spot in the stands overlooking the 10th and 11th tees.
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It’s also the prime position for most things from the seventh to 11th holes in general.
However, one luckier fan posted: “Happened right in front me. Whole grandstand went ballistic.”
