WATCH: Rory McIlroy Falters After Two Water Balls

WATCH: Rory McIlroy Falters After Two Water Balls

Rory McIlroy 7
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy endured a horror show in his final round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as he found the water twice at the par-5 sixth hole.

WATCH: Rory McIlroy Falters After Two Water Balls

Teeing off on the sixth hole, Rory McIlroy sat only three shots behind the leader Lee Westwood.

But disaster struck for the Northern Irishman as his first tee shot failed to find dry land, splashing into the lake.

Related: Rory McIlroy What’s In The Bag?

Teeing up his second ball, McIlroy hit a high draw that followed the same result as his first, landing in the infamous lake.

Not taking any chances, the four-time major champion aimed further right, finding the middle of the fairway and leaving himself 250-yards into the green.

Now playing his sixth, McIlroy nailed his iron shot at the pin and, although it only just pitched over the lake again, it ran up to the flag; eventually resting three feet away from the hole.

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McIlroy tapped in for what would have been an eagle with his third ball, instead, it was actually a double bogey seven, dropping him out of contention.

The sixth hole at Bay Hill has certainly seen some drama this week. In the third round, Victor Perez made an 11, whilst Englishman Justin Rose produced a nine only a few groups later.

The main talking point, though, has been the American Bryson DeChambeau, who has been smashing the par-5 sixth in the third and final round.

Related: WATCH: Bryson DeChambeau Hits Monster Drive At Bay Hill

DeChambeau had been hinting in the build-up to the tournament that the 555-yard hole was in-fact driveable, with it being a 350-yard carry over the lake.

The American may not have driven the green, but he has produced drives of 368 and 377-yards, to much excitement and fanfare.

Related: WATCH: Bryson DeChambeau Betters Third Round Drive

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x