Rory McIlroy given death stare by Genesis Invitational rival after breaking golf etiquette rules

Rory McIlroy given death stare by Genesis Invitational rival after breaking golf etiquette rules

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 17/02/2024

- 23:10

Rory McIlroy is tied-27th at the Genesis Invitational heading into the final round on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy was on the receiving end of an angry glare from Lucas Glover during the third round of the Genesis Invitational after hitting his tee shot past the group in front.

The Northern Irishman gave himself some work to do this week after a disappointing three-over-par opening round on Thursday at Riviera.


He soon got back on track on Friday with an impressive bogey-free round that included an eagle on the par-five 11th.

That saw McIlroy paired with Adam Scott for the third round with both players looking to charge up the leaderboard.

Lucas Glover wasn't impressed by Rory McIlroy

Lucas Glover wasn't impressed by Rory McIlroy

SKYSPORTS

It was a mixed bag for the three-time major champion heading up to the 15th hole having carded four birdies as well as two costly bogeys.

But McIlroy got himself in trouble with Glover, who was alongside Ludvig Aberg in the group ahead on the 15th hole.

It's seen as bad etiquette in golf hitting up to the group ahead and PGA Tour players are usually good at knowing when to wait.

It can often lead to delays with players - particularly the game's biggest hitters like McIlroy - forced to wait at tee boxes with some players slower than others.

McIlroy seemingly didn't see any need to wait much longer on the 15th hole when he ripped his drive 323 yards down the left side of the fairway.

He quickly picked up his tee and returned to his bag, but cameras further down the hole picked up McIlroy's ball bouncing past a surprised Glover.

The 2009 US Open champion turned around in disgust and stared back at the tee box and didn't look too pleased as he begun to walk on.

According to Sky Sports, Glover had hit his second shot already and walked on a further 40 yards before McIlroy played his shot.

Rory McIlroy's drive flew past Lucas Glover

Rory McIlroy's drive flew past Lucas Glover

SKYSPORTS

Cameras then appeared to pick up the moment McIlroy realised what he had done and he looked genuinely shocked that the group were still in range.

McIlroy avoided any more trouble with the group ahead of him for the final three holes.

But he dropped further back with a bogey on the 16th before recovering with a birdie on the 17th after nearly reaching the 569-yard par-five in two shots.

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Rory McIlroy appeared genuinely shocked

Rory McIlroy appeared genuinely shocked

SKYSPORTS

The biggest talking point heading into Saturday's round was surrounding Jordan Spieth's disqualification from the tournament after he handed in an incorrect scorecard.

Spieth's disqualification led to calls from some for the rules to be changed, but McIlroy didn't share that same view point.

“If we’re trying to keep this game [from splitting] and trying to [have] the pros play by the same rules as the amateurs, then we all need to keep our playing partners’ scorecards, and we’re responsible for that,” he said.

“I also see the other side of the coin where there are thousands of people watching us. Every shot’s tracked on Shot Tracker and the PGA Tour app. Is it needed at this point? I probably am more of a traditionalist than anything else. I fall into the camp of it’s worked for so long, I don’t think you need to change it.”

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