Watch: Frustrated Rory McIlroy throws club into lake at BMW Championship
Rory McIlroy’s frustration with his recent golf performance reached a boiling point during the BMW Championship on Friday, culminating in an incident where he threw his three-wood into a lake, only to wade into the water to retrieve it. The World No. 3’s outburst occurred on the 17th hole of the PGA Tour play-offs as he struggled with his form.
The incident unfolded as McIlroy’s tee shot on the 17th hole veered off into the rough. In a moment of frustration, he threw his three-wood towards the adjacent pond. Unfortunately for McIlroy, the club did not make it far into the water and remained partially submerged. His anger seemed to compound as he found himself having to wade into the weeds to recover the club.
This outburst echoed his earlier displays of frustration, most notably his famous club toss at the Doral in 2014. During that incident, McIlroy’s three-iron was thrown so far into a lake that a diver had to be hired to retrieve it. While the current incident at the BMW Championship lacked the drama of that earlier episode, it nonetheless illustrated McIlroy’s mounting frustration.
McIlroy finished the round with a score of one-over-par 71, leaving him significantly behind the leaders. Despite making a par on the 17th hole, he ended the day 10 strokes behind the front-runner, Adam Scott. This performance, coming after a disappointing showing the previous week in Memphis where he finished tied for 68th out of 70 participants, underscored the struggles McIlroy has faced in recent months.
His difficulties this season follow a near-win at the US Open in June, where he seemed poised to secure his first major championship in a decade. However, a series of bogeys on the final holes of that tournament allowed Bryson DeChambeau to snatch the victory from his grasp. Despite a strong performance at the Olympics, where he finished fifth, McIlroy’s overall form has been inconsistent. He also missed the cut at the Open Championship held at Royal Troon.
Looking ahead, McIlroy still has the opportunity to turn his year around. The FedEx Cup playoffs provide a chance to salvage his season, with the prospect of a substantial reward of $25 million for the victor in the final event. McIlroy is hopeful that a strong performance in Atlanta could transform what has been a challenging year into a successful one. Nonetheless, his recent behavior at the BMW Championship highlights the significant improvements needed for him to regain his top form and achieve the results he seeks.
