What will Rory McIlroy do next? On the list of possibilities, hurling a three iron like an Olympic hammer thrower into the lake hardly factored. But, in the most visible sign of frustration with the current state of his game, the world number one reacted to a poor shot on the par five eighth hole of his second round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship on the Blue Monster by tossing the crafted Nike club into the water. Splash!
In exorcising his demons, throwing the club into the lake to follow the golf ball that had immediately preceded it, McIlroy showed human frailties and inner fire. It won’t end at that. An undisclosed fine from the PGA Tour will be sent his way as a reminder of future conduct.
"I did something similar myself in China last year, that's what this course will do to you," admitted Shane Lowry, seemingly with a degree of empathy for McIlroy's reaction to losing yet another golf ball to a watery grave.
Adam Scott, who was in the thick it on his return to competition, also sympathised.
“I can understand Rory throwing a club as it’s the most frustrating game ever. So, I’m not surprised to learn he’s thrown a club. We’ve all done it, whether you’re a pro or just playing socially.
‘Brutal game’
“It’s shocking when you see it from a leading tour player but it’s a brutal game and tell me who hasn’t thrown a club. I threw one back home in Australia about four years ago just playing a social round and I wasn’t even playing in a match,” said the Aussie.
The club-throwing incident came on the eighth hole, after pulling his three-iron from 226 yards into the drink. Both playing partners Henrik Stenson and Bubba Watson found the green with their approach shots – shooting birdie and eagle respectively – and McIlroy's angst with his own shot led to him throwing the club 30 yards into the lake.
McIlroy had gone into the second round with the stated aim of being more aggressive, although that assertion had more to do with actually playing aggressively than throwing clubs. Yet, in spite of playing with just 13 clubs for 10 and a half holes, McIlroy somehow steadied matters thereafter and kept a cooler head – claiming birdies on the two par fives on the back nine, the 10th and 12th and another on the 17th, his sixth birdie of the round – to shoot a 70 for 143, one under, which moved him into the top-15 and looking forward to a weekend charge.
And as tough as the course played, with difficult pin placements to accentuate the challenge, some players found a way. Bubba Watson had two eagles in his round. Webb Simpson, a recent convert to the short putter, had a 69 . . . . and another player back wielding a short putter in hand had a 68 as Adam Scott manoeuvred his way into contention heading into the weekend.
First appearance
Scott, making his first appearance of the year after taking time out to enjoy fatherhood with his new daughter Bo, hasn’t displayed any signs of rustiness on his return to tournament play.
A round of 68 that featured six birdies and two bogeys – and a notable putting stat that has seen him make 28 of 30 putts inside 10 feet over the first two rounds – moved him to 138, six under, at the 36-holes stage.
And, of everyone, Scott was probably the least surprised that, even with all that he has had going on – new baby, new caddie and new putter – that he should jump straight back into the rhythm of things with a card in his hand.
The reason? “I’ve played some consistent golf because I think I’ve had a really good plan. It’s not always right but at least there’s a plan and I’m working towards something. Coming out again after a long break, I’ve done it before, and I’ve tried to remember what I did and what I did wrong and don’t do it this time. I’m just trying to keep on top of things, because the standard is so high and you can’t afford to take a step back,” said Scott.
