Rory McIlroy was cruising along at 3-under late into his first round of the 2012 British Open at Royal Lytham when a spectator’s head got in the way of his tee shot on the par-4 15th.
The fan’s header earned him a turban-like bandage and an autographed golf glove from McIlroy but cost the 2011 U.S. Open champ a penalty shot and the walk of shame back to the tee to reload when his ball ricocheted out of bounds.
McIlroy ended up with a double bogey, which dropped him back to 1-under, but he did not hang his head for long. Using the big gun, he drove the 336-yard par-4 16th green but had to settle for birdie when his 20-footer for eagle came up just short.
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