Watch bizarre moment Rory McIlroy’s driver SNAPS IN HALF in freak accident a day after throwing it in a pond
RORY MCILROY suffered another nightmare on the golf course after his driver snapped in half.
The Northern Irishman and four-time major champion had a freak accident at the BMW Championship just a day after he threw his club into a pond.
The bizarre moment occurred during the final round of the tournament in Denver, Colorado, with a prize of £19million on the line.
McIlroy was going into the 9th hole when he knocked his tee shot near the edge of the water.
The ace then leaned slightly on his driver while bending over to pick up his tee peg.
And incredibly, the club gave way before dramatically snapping in half.
McIlroy was then forced to take off his shoes and socks for his next shot, standing on two rocks in the middle of the pond.
Fans reacted to the strange moment on social media.
One said: “I think they both snapped.”
Another declared: “That’s how you get a driver changed.”
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One noted: “Rory is having one interesting tournament.”
Another added: “This is craziness.”
McIlroy is no stranger to the water, having had a run-in with it on Saturday.
After a dreadful shot on the 17th hole, he threw away his driver in disgust.
However, he ended up putting too much power into the toss.
And his club ended up going straight into the pond.
McIlroy was then forced to fish it out before handing it to his caddy, who dried it with a towel.
Rory McIlroy's career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the world top 50.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.