Rory McIlroy is one of the very best players to ever swing a golf club but even he produces moments at times that are simply mind blowing.
McIlroy is among the star names playing at Bay Hill this week as part of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and he carded a very steady opening round of 70 to come in at two-under for the opening day.
McIlroy is three shy of leader Wyndham Clark but among a cluster of players chasing the American ahead of what should be an improved day two in terms of course conditions.
Of course, to finish under par in tough winds and heavy rough at Bay Hill means you need to hit some brilliant shots.
And to be fair to McIlroy, he did just that.
McIlroy produced a number of fine shots throughout his 18 holes but when one particular shot found the bunker and a horrible lie on 13, McIlroy produced a moment of class that left golf fans suitably blown away by the skill level involved.
Rory McIlroy impresses golf fans with two moments of brilliance at the Arnold Palmer
Every so often, one of the world’s best players shows everyone just why they’re at the level they are and McIlroy’s shot from the bunker here was a fine example.
With the ball plugged in what’s known as a ‘fried egg’ lie in golf, McIlroy produced the goods to dribble the ball down to within two feet of the hole.
As expected on social media, golf fans were loving what they saw and lauded McIlroy’s efforts.
One fan made the point of just how skilful the pros are as they praised McIlroy.
“Just incredible skill and distance control. The pros are that good!”
Although another took the sarcastic route, suggesting they’d have made it…
“I would have holed it. But whatever.”
Prior to that stunning bunker shot, McIlroy had produced another stunning shot, this time from 269 yards out on the par five sixth, as he rocketed an iron to the heart of the green to set up a putt for Eagle.
As with the bunker shot, golf fans also loved the sheer power behind this one from McIlroy.
“Yes, he missed the putt.. BUT He just carried an iron onto the green, downwind, over water from 270yards and stopped it pin high… barely anyone else in the world is capable of that.. unreal,” one fan commented.
While another didn’t need as many words, simply stating ‘Just impressive’ in their comment.
Carrying on the praise, one fan labelled the shot ‘cracking’, while another suggested it distracted them from work, such was the quality of the hit!
“I had my phone on my lap during a meeting at work and audibly gasped when I saw this happen. The entire room looked at me. Oops”
With McIlroy playing well and firmly in contention and with calmer conditions expected, the Northern Irishman will expect to put himself in a position to win ahead of the weekend.
And with shots like the two produced in round one, there’s little reason to bet against McIlroy being around the top of the leaderboard come Sunday.
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