Rory McIlroy watches his drive off the tee on the fourth hole during the first round of the 2021 Masters Tournament on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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April 8 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy accidentally struck his father, Gerry, in the leg with his approach shot on hole No. 7 Thursday at the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Ga.
McIlroy's father wasn't injured after the golf ball hit him in the back of the leg as he walked to the green. The elder McIlroy joked with reporters about the incident, saying: "I should ask for an autographed glove."
"In fairness, it was where I was trying to turn it off," McIlroy said of his shot. "It was a perfect shot -- it was dead straight. I think he was OK. He didn't limp away, he walked away pretty swiftly."
It was one of multiple errant shots for McIlroy, who shot a 4-over 76 in Thursday's first round of the Masters. It marked his third consecutive opening round over par at Augusta National, where he is trying to become just the sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam.
"My goal is to play well and at least give myself a chance," McIlroy said. "Honestly, I'm quite encouraged with how I hit it on the way in. I hit some loose shots out there, but after hitting the 6-iron in the water on 13, I hit some really good shots coming in. So I'm encouraged by that."
McIlroy, a former world No. 1, hasn't won on tour in more than 17 months. His last major championship victory came at the 2014 PGA Championship.
Last year's Masters champion, Dustin Johnson (L), bumps fists with 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama of Japan after the final round of the 2021 Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on Sunday. Matsuyama won his first major at10 under par. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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