RORY MCILROY experienced another nightmare on the golf course after his driver broke in half.
The Northern Irishman and four-time major champion had a bizarre accident at the BMW Championship, just one day after throwing his club into a pond.
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The bizarre moment occurred during the final round of the £19 million tournament in Denver, Colorado.
McIlroy was on the 9th hole when he hit his tee shot near the edge of a stream.
The frustrated man leaned lightly on his driver as he bent down to pick up his tee peg.
And, as unbelievable as it may sound, the club gave way before dramatically breaking in half.
That wasn’t the end of the drama for McIlroy, however, as he walked down the fairway, then took off his shoes and socks and stood in the creek to make his second shot.
Fans reacted to the strange moment on social media.
One said: “I think they both freaked out.”
Another explained: “This is how you get a driver change.”
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One commented: “Rory is playing an interesting tournament.”
Another added: “This is insane.”
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The water is nothing new for McIlroy; he already had an encounter with it on Saturday.
After a terrible shot on the 17th hole, he threw away his driver in disgust.
However, he ultimately went too hard on the throw.
And his bat landed directly in a pond.
McIlroy then had to fish it out before giving it to his caddy, who dried it with a towel.
Rory McIlroy’s career successes
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy was number 1 in the world rankings for more than 100 weeks – and has so far won a total of four majors and 40 tournaments.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have managed to win one of the “Big Four” at the age of 25.
And after winning the US Open in 2011, the Northern Irish top player won the PGA Championship the following year – and in 2014 the Open and PGA crowns were added.
Here’s a look at the dazzling career of the 35-year-old five-time Ryder Cup winner, who has also been a fierce critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV Tour:
- 2007 – at the age of 17, at the top of the amateur world rankings.
Turned pro in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in European Tour history to receive a Tour card.
- 2009 – reached the top 50 in the world.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title at the Quail Hollow Championship.
Had a successful Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to earn $10 million on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – On the final day of the Masters in May, he famously squandered a four-stroke lead.
The following month, however, he won his first major tournament – the US Open.
Named Sportsman of the Year by RTE, Ireland’s largest broadcaster.
- 2012 – won the PGA Championship.
Was named PGA Tour Player of the Year and garnered further glory at the Ryder Cup.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year yet in the majors.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
He then secured the consecutive PGA title, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Voted RTE Sportsman of the Year for the second time.
Once again he helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Finished the season by winning the Tour Championship, which gave him the lead in the FedEx Cup and earned him the $10 million bonus pool.
Suffered a Ryder Cup loss.
- 2017 – couldn’t win all year.
However, he achieved top-10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and three WGC events.
And as Nike largely withdrew from the golf market, it signed an £80 million advertising deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka and became number 1 in the world
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – Second in the Masters and third in the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe beat the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled at the start of the season, finishing tied for 22nd at the Masters.
But then he won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic, his 25th PGA title, and the Wells Fargo Championship.
