Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy expressed frustration after officials placed his group under time constraints during Thursday's opening round at the Amgen Irish Open, despite substantial galleries and multiple camera crews tracking their progress at The K Club.
The world number two competed alongside South Africa's Thriston Lawrence and Norway's Kristoffer Reitan when tournament officials warned them about their pace of play.
McIlroy argued that authorities failed to consider the unique circumstances surrounding his high-profile group, which attracted significantly larger crowds than others on the course.
The four-time major champion's annoyance stemmed from what he perceived as inflexible enforcement of pace regulations without accounting for the inevitable delays caused by spectator movement and media coverage.
Rory McIlroy was furious after being penalised for slow game play at the Irish Open
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Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley came to McIlroy's defence, disclosing that the golfer remained agitated about the incident when they spoke at breakfast on Friday.
"He was still upset about it this morning," McGinley revealed during Sky Sports commentary, emphasising that the Northern Irishman's grievances were justified.
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McGinley highlighted that McIlroy ranks among golf's quickest players rather than the slower competitors, making the warning particularly galling.
The 2014 Ryder Cup-winning captain stressed that McIlroy wasn't being conceited in his complaints, but rather pointing out the practical reality that massive fan followings and extensive media coverage inevitably affect playing speed.
"You can understand why he was irritated," McGinley concluded.
Paul McGinley defended Rory McIlroy after his rant
| PAMcIlroy described feeling "rushed" during his final 12 holes and criticised officials for their rigid approach to timing regulations.
"I feel like it always happens and I don't think they use sort of common sense," the Masters champion stated after completing his round.
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He explained that his group inevitably fell behind schedule due to waiting for spectators to move and accommodating two separate camera crews filming their round.
"Of course we're going to lose ground because we're going to have to wait on crowds and wait on the two camera crews that are out there," McIlroy said.
The golfer urged officials to grant "a little bit of leeway" when such exceptional circumstances affect playing conditions.
Rory McIlroy was followed by large crowds throughout the Irish Open
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The timing warnings occurred early in Thursday's round, with McIlroy noting that two different officials monitored his group's pace throughout the day.
His frustration intensified when a second official placed them on the clock again during the final three holes, contributing to a disappointing finish where he recorded bogeys on two of his last three holes.
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The 35-year-old finished his opening round with a one-over-par 71, later expressing particular annoyance that such incidents seem to recur whenever he competes in Europe or plays in marquee groupings featuring the world's top-ranked players.
McIlroy is seeking his second Irish Open title, having previously triumphed at the same venue in 2016.