Rory McIlroy accused of breaking hidden rule at The Open after unbelievable chip
Rory McIlroy has been accused of breaking a little-known rule on the Royal Liverpool following a formidable bunker chip. The {golfing} icon noticed his shot land completely on the inexperienced in the course of the opening spherical of the Open Championship, however in response to the foundations the shot shouldn’t have stood.
The 34-year-old is having fun with a gentle tourament up to now, carding stage par-71 over his first 18 holes. However, his luck appeared to expire as he made his solution to his ultimate gap of the course.
Just in need of the inexperienced a well-placed sand bunker stood between himself and the flag. Sitting on his second shot on the par 5, McIlroy noticed his ball land in a deadly place with some tough improvisation wanted.
His first try noticed the world No. 2 hit the facet lip of the bunker and roll again into the sand in a good worse place. A second try noticed McIlroy compelled to cock his leg exterior of the bunker with a view to get the require leverage for the chip.
In true McIlroy fashion his second shot noticed an expertly weighted chip raise out of the bunker and simply previous the outlet. After rolling in his putt a hard-fought par was clawed again.
Despite the spectacular achievement it seems that McIlroy has damaged a long-forgotten rule because of his caddie’s encroachment in the direction of the bunker.
Via rule 10.2b(4): “The previous prohibition is extended so that, once the player begins taking a stance for the stroke, and until the stroke is made, the player’s caddie must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason.”
McIlroy could have been given a slight lifeline with a loop-hole within the rule which claims if the participant backs away, and the caddie leaves the ‘restricted space’ earlier than the stroke is made, then the ruling will not be breached. The caddie does take a step again earlier than the shot is made which then sees McIlroy readjust his place, which means he may very well be within the clear.
The determination has since divided golf followers on Twitter, with one person saying: “Here’s why it matters: As Rory was about to swing, the caddie clearly saw something that Rory did not, interrupted him about to swing and had him adjust his stance to get the right shot. That is why it’s against the spirit of the game.”
However, some followers had been having none of it. “Eh, I think he was still in the act of creating a stance.” one person mentioned, with one other including: “He hadn’t taken a stance yet. Not even close.”