Rory McIlroy nearly FACE PLANTS the cup after taking tumble at Bay Hill
Rory McIlroy nearly face plants the cup during a disappointing first round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Rory McIlroy nearly face-planted the cup when tapping home for par on the 9th hole during the opening round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
McIlroy, who won this tournament in 2018, walked up to tap-in his one-foot putt for par.
He sent the ball down and then placed his putter behind the hole to use it as an aid to pick out his ball from the cup.
But the putter slipped on the ground and McIlroy went with it and nearly face-planted the cup.
WATCH WHAT HAPPENED HERE
The greens at Bay Hill are no joke pic.twitter.com/HMc2LgEWe7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 2, 2023
Earlier in the round, McIlroy attempted a 'Bryson special' on the par-5 6th but he came up shy and his ball found the water.
It would lead to a disastrous double-bogey seven, and McIlroy's day did not get much better thereafter.
McIlroy, who now lies third in the world, went on to card a lacklustre 1-over 73.
Related: Rory insists PGA Tour not copying LIV Golf
The only eagle of the day on No. 16 belongs to leader @JonRahmPGA pic.twitter.com/qTOUGJHqf7
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 2, 2023
World No.1 Jon Rahm, who has already won three times on the PGA Tour this season including five wins around the world in his last nine appearances, raced out the blocks with a stunning 7-under 65.
Rahm did let a shocking F-bomb fly though.
McIlroy can return to World No.1 this week but he will need to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational and hope other results go his way.
But after the starts of both Rahm and McIlroy this week, you have to feel McIlroy will be waiting another week to return to the top spot.
Given the form of Rahm right now though, it could be a while until anyone ever replaces the Spaniard.
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Jon Rahm has already won three times on the PGA Tour this season, and he's currently leading the Arnold Palmer Invitational on day one
How many PGA Tour wins will Rahm end up with this season?!— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) March 2, 2023
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