Pro golfer Rory McIlroy did some serious damage on Thursday when an errant drive collided with Charlie Kane, who was on the course working social media for the PGA Tour.
Kane shared a tweet featuring several photos of his injuries — along with a warning to others that when McIlroy shouted “Fore!” he likely meant it.
“Fractured hand after Rory McIlroy’s drive landed on my knuckle,” Kane tweeted. “He shouted fore. I did not heed the warning. #TheOpen.”
Fractured hand after Rory McIlroy’s drive landed on my knuckle.
He shouted fore. I did not heed the warning. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/91bOwuA4mY
— Charlie Kane (@PGATOURKane) July 14, 2022
McIlroy, who hails from Northern Ireland, kicked off the morning with a 55-foot birdie, and was in second place at six shots under par at the end of the British Open’s first day.
Here we go.
55-foot birdie from @McIlroyRory to get things started @TheOpen 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wWD3kDWlBB
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 14, 2022
He trailed just behind the United States’ Cameron Young, who was eight under par at the close of the first day. Australia’s Cameron Smith and Great Britain’s Robert Dinwiddie were just behind the two leaders, tied with five shots under par.
The Open hasn’t been all serious, however. In the days leading up to the competition, the PGA Tour’s Twitter account shared video of golf legend Tiger Woods having a little fun at McIlroy’s expense.
“The year is 2022. @TigerWoods is back messing with @McIlroyRory at the home of golf.”
The year is 2022.@TigerWoods is back messing with @McIlroyRory at the home of golf. pic.twitter.com/PUoMJvJj9P
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 11, 2022
The video showed Woods taking aim and firing off a couple of quick putts aimed directly at the ball McIlroy was attempting to hit — and then laughing as the Irish pro caught on.
McIlroy ran into a bit of a roadblock on the fifth hole, however, when his drive was cut short by a small stone on the fairway — which had been a part of the course’s original boundaries built during the 15th century.
Golf Magazine’s Sean Zak explained, “The stone that Rory just bounced off is one of the March Stones on the Old Course. They mark the original boundary of the course. There’s a ‘G’ on one side of each of them. If you saw the G, you’re standing on the golf course side of the boundary.”
The stone that Rory just bounced off is one of the March Stones on the Old Course. They mark the original boundary of the course.
There's a "G" on one side of each of them. If you saw the G, you're standing on the golf course side of the boundary. pic.twitter.com/dW9GP6Q3qU
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) July 14, 2022
Despite being blocked by the stone, McIlroy was able to birdie the hole — and he had even told his caddie, Harry, that he pitied the golfer who found himself forced to play from a position behind one of the stones.
“I said to Harry, some poor guy is going to have his ball end up right behind that today because it’s right in the firing range, and I don’t think you get a drop,” he said.
Source: Dailywire
