The Open: Watch Rory McIlroy make a crazy birdie after wild tee shot!

Why does Rory McIlroy always leave it so late? 

This is a question we have asked ourselves routinely over the last nine years watching the Northern Irishman. 

McIlroy looked to have left himself too much to do once again at the 151st Open through 54 holes and was nine strokes off the lead heading into the final round. 

• Open Championship 2023 live leaderboard

McIlroy made two pars to begin his round in the pouring rain at Royal Liverpool. 

Then he stepped up to the third tee and hit his tee shot wildly left. It was so far left he reloaded. And then he did exactly the same thing. 

More:

• McIlroy accused of breaking golf rule

Just check out shot tracking:

Thankfully for McIlroy, he found his first then was able to take relief. From there, he put his second to 50ft. Then sank the putt. 

Watch here:

Listen to that roar.



The fans have braved the elements.



They have been rewarded with a brilliant Rory McIlroy birdie. pic.twitter.com/GLMc2K4Ik6

— The Open (@TheOpen) July 23, 2023

McIlroy went on to make two more consecutive birdies at the fourth and fifth holes at Hoylake, before making a gutsy par at the par-3 sixth hole. 

Who knows? Maybe Brian Harman will make a mistake or two. 

As for McIlroy, will it be another case of so close yet so far? 

It's the hope that kills you. 

Open Championship 2023 info:

• The Open Championship field
• The Open Championship tee times
• The Open Championship odds
• LIV Golf players in the field
• Streaming information
• How to watch
• Schedule
• Prize money information
• Exemption categories
• Players who are exempt but not competing

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