WATCH: Rory McIlroy Launches Fan's Remote Control Ball Into Water
The bizarre incident occurred during the third round of the BMW Championship
Rory McIlroy was involved in a bizarre incident during the third round of the BMW Championship - and it's safe to say he wasn't impressed.
Attempting to wrestle himself back into contention after a poor start on Saturday, the Northern Irishman was greeted by the unusual sight of a fan-controlled remote-control ball moving around the 15th green at Wilmington Country Club.
He and playing partner Scott Stallings looked on in bewilderment at first, before the four-time Major champion took matters into his own hands, knocking the fan's ball with his putter a couple of times and then launching it into a nearby pond.
Watch how it all played out below:
Video of fan trying to show Rory a remote control ball. Rory wasn’t having it. pic.twitter.com/NUKnN5FL97August 20, 2022
The fan was quickly ushered away from the green, with McIlroy's reaction receiving a mixed response from the crowd in attendance. However, it was commended by Stallings, who said: "I thought it was great. I was about to go and do the same thing."
He added: "That wasn’t exactly something I expected to see on a Saturday afternoon. He kept yelling at Rory, 'This is my dream, this is my dream.' I don’t know exactly what he was dreaming about, but his ball is gone."
Having birdied two of his previous three holes to get back to level par for the day, McIlroy missed the chance to pick up another shot after the melee but went on to birdie the 16th and 17th before a closing bogey had him round in one-under 70.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The 33-year-old sits five back of Patrick Cantlay as he attempts to put himself in position to clinch a third FedEx Cup victory and pocket the largest first prize in PGA Tour history. As it stands, he's projected to move up two spots into seventh ahead of next week's $18 million shootout.
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
The Key Stories At The Halfway Stage Of DP World Tour Q School
The DP World Tour Q School is at the halfway stage and, 54 holes in, a number of stories are already developing!
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'That's One Of The Best Feelings Of My Life' - Paul Waring Sends Classy Message Following Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Win
Following his victory in Abu Dhabi, Waring sent close friend, Andy Sullivan, a classy message, as Waring all but wrapped up his PGA Tour card for 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Tee Times: Round Four
Paul Waring takes a one-shot lead into the final round at Yas Links, where the line-up for the season-closing DP World Tour Championship will be confirmed
By Mike Hall Published
-
Predicting What Rory McIlroy's 2025 Schedule Will Look Like
After saying he would cut down his schedule for 2025, take a look and where and when Rory McIlroy could be playing his golf next year
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy 2014 Vs 2024 - What Do The Stats Say?
Rory McIlroy had the season of his career in 2014, but was he playing that much better than he is now? We took a deep dive into the stats to find out
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Makes Solid Start In Abu Dhabi In First Round Since Swing Changes
Rory McIlroy said his new swing changes "felt pretty good" after shooting 67 in his first round at the Abu Dhabi Championship
By Paul Higham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Suggests New US President Donald Trump And Elon Musk Could Expedite PGA Tour-PIF Deal
The World No.3 does not believe reports of a completed merger are accurate but did suggest Trump returning as President could speed up a successful deal
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship Tee Times: Rounds One And Two
Rory McIlroy is closing in on his sixth Race to Dubai title and he's grouped with his two closest challengers in the first two rounds of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Much Did Paul Waring Win At The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship?
The DP World Tour Play-Offs section of the season begins with the first of two elevated events to decide the Race to Dubai champion
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
How Much Money Rory McIlroy Has Made Every Year On The PGA And DP World Tours
Rory McIlroy is one of the highest paid golfers in the history of the sport - but how much has he won each year on the PGA and DP World Tours?
By Joel Kulasingham Published