Ror blimey
ACE McILROY IS WAYWARD AT WENTWORTH
RORY McILROY faces a scrap to win a second BMW PGA Championship after hitting two spectators a marshal yesterday.
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The four-time Major winner took a three-shot lead into the third round at Wentworth but struggled to get to grips with a swirling wind and ended the day tied at the top with Italian Francesco Molinari (below).
McIlroy was already one over par for the day when he attempted a risky recovery shot on the sixth.
But he succeeded only in crashing his ball into the crowd and hitting a young woman on her right hand.
While she received treatment, McIlroy went on to run up a double bogey six and fall out of the lead.
But he bounced back immediately with a birdie on the seventh and picked up further shots on the 12th, 17th and 18th in eventful fashion.
His second shot on the 17th clipped a marshal – who was also hit by playing partner Sam Horsfield!
But it was the Northern Irishman’s wayward drive on the 18th which did the real damage, hitting a woman on the head and drawing blood.
Asked why he had not shouted the traditional warning of ‘fore’, McIlroy said: “I didn’t think it was going to carry that far. It was into the wind and it’s 275 to the bunker with a three wood.
“I thought it was going to pitch in the bunker so I didn’t think anyone was in danger.
“When you see blood, the one on 18 shook me a little bit but she reassured me she was okay. It’s never nice.
“It’s tough. You can say ‘sorry’ and maybe give them a glove but that’s not going to do anything for them. I’m just thankful my ball didn’t go where it was heading and I just hope they’re okay.
“I got lucky today, I got very fortunate. I got good bounces off spectators and I rode my luck. I’m just going to have to play better to have a chance.”
On 13 under par, McIlroy shares the lead with Molinari, whose 66 was the lowest score of the day by two shots.
Molinari was runner-up to Alex Noren 12 months ago and has recorded four other top-10 finishes at Wentworth in the last six years – but was not about to take anything for granted last night.
“I am going to be ready. I am going to do my best, obviously whatever is in my control,” the little Italian said.
The leading pair are four shots ahead of Noren, Horsfield – who shot 72 after being four over par for the first 10 holes – Ross Fisher and Branden Grace.
Lee Westwood, who was named a Ryder Cup vice-captain by European skipper Thomas Bjorn at the start of the week, is making his 25th attempt to take the title in a four-strong group on eight under. CLUBBED: McIlroy is a worried man as his ball heads for a fan