Rory’s flying start overshadowed by spat with Spieth
RORY MCILROY insisted his conscience was clear after his exceptional start to the Players championship was interrupted by a prolonged rules controversy with Jordan spieth.
the world no 2, so rusty in recent weeks, was substantially closer to his best in an opening round of 65 that gave him an early share of the clubhouse lead at sawgrass.
however, his 10 birdies were overshadowed by controversy at the seventh hole — his 16th of the day — when he yanked a drive left into the water. What followed was an eight-minute delay as Mcilroy appeared to be in debate with spieth, his playing partner, over the correct location for his drop.
citing the claims of eye-witnesses, spieth could be heard making the case that the ball had crossed the red hazard marker without bouncing, which would have sent Mcilroy 250 yards back up the course to a spot in front of the tee box for his third shot.
On-course microphones picked up spieth saying: ‘everyone i’m hearing that had eyes on it is saying they are 100 per cent certain it landed below the red line. it’s what you guys think.’
that was quicklyuickly challenged by Mcilroy’s caddieie harry diamond:d:
‘Who is everybody, Jordan? Who are you talking about?’
With Mcilroy convinced his ball had bounced before crossing the line, therebyy permitting a dropop in range of the green,een, he was by cleared rules officials tooprocials proceedand ultimately carded a double-bogey six. tV footage was inconclusive in proving where the ball pitched.
having closed with a birdie for a seven-under-par finish, Mcilroy said: ‘i think Jordan was just trying to make sure i was doing the right thing. i was pretty sure my ball had crossed where i was sort of dropping it.
‘ if anything, i was being conservative with it. at the end of the day we’re all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well.
‘i wouldn’t say it was needless. he (spieth) was just trying to makmake sure that what happened was the right thing. i feel like i’m one of the most conscientious golfers out here, so if i feel like i’ve done something wrong it will play on my conscience for the rest of the tournament.
‘i’m a big believer in karma. if you do something wrong, i feel like it’s going to come around and bite you at some point. i don’t try to do anything wrong out there.’
it was a peculiar saga on an otherwise impressive day for Mcilroy, whose only blips were drives left into water at the 18th and seventh. having spoken of his need to ‘ wake up’ after finishing 21st last week at Bay hill, he said: ‘it’s probably been one of my best days in a while, which is really nice.
‘i didn’t have many expectations going out there. there’s something to be said for that, just lessening the expectations a little bit and going out there and seeing what happens. it was a great start.’
Mcilroy was joined in a share of the early lead by Xander schauffele, with 24- year- old ryder cup phenomenon Ludvig aberg two back.
tommy Fleetwood reached five under after starting at the 10th but could only close with a 70 after a triple-bogey seven on the seventh.