Rory McIlroy was left embarrassed after he needed two shots to get out of the bunker on the eighth hole at Royal Troon, as his shot landed back at his feet, failing to get out of the bunker successfully.
The Northern Ireland star walked away from the infamous Postage Stamp with a double bogey to compound a miserable opening round in Scotland. The 118-yard par three was a struggle for McIlroy, who watched his drive with a grimace on his face as his ball rolled off the green and into the bunker.
A steep hill was McIlroy's next obstacle, but he hit his shot far too lightly and it rolled back into the bunker, essentially dropping him to five over par on a difficult afternoon amid poor weather conditions.
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McIlroy was among a number of players who struggled to stay out of the rough in search of an end to his decade-long wait for a Major victory, having come heartbreakingly close last time out at the US Open.
He dropped a number of early shots before the double-bogey blow at the Postage Stamp. Only two of The Open's last nine winners have made a double bogey throughout the week and gone on to win, a bad omen for the 35-year-old.
But victory won't be the goal in mind after a poor start to the competition. McIlroy has not failed to make the cut since 2019 at Royal Portrush.
Following defeat to Bryson DeChambeau at Pinehurst, McIlroy has reflected on the disappointment and claimed that his readiness to be "vulnerable" can help him in the future, unafraid of failing in the big moments.
"One thing that I've done a really good job of over the past three or four years in the majors is, I've been willing to have my heart be broken," McIlroy said. "Because I've put myself out there.
"I've let myself be vulnerable and let myself get to that point, basically, of no return. I've experienced three of those Sundays in the last two or three years but that's what you need to do.
Royal Troon is claiming victims at The Open Championship.
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) July 18, 2024
Awesome example of what happens in these bunkers. You can make an easy bogey, but if you want a par you often need to take a big risk.
Rory paid the price. The mistakes you can’t make and claim the Claret Jug. pic.twitter.com/2bD5f8IALc
"You need to put yourself out there and be willing to get hurt. Because it's that fine margin of walking through that threshold of 'if this doesn't happen, it's really gonna suck. But if it does happen, it's gonna be awesome'.
"I've done a better job of just putting myself in the mix and putting it all out there. I did that at Pinehurst, it didn't work out. But I'd love to get that opportunity again this week and I know I'll be able to handle it better."
