‘I got lucky’: Rory McIlroy coy after incredible recovery shot at Phoenix Open
Rory McIlroy wasn’t far from having to reload off the tee box on the 2nd hole in the first round of the WM Phoenix Open.
The Northern Irishman’s ball went sailing to the right and finished about a foot from a fence in what appeared an impossible position to work a shot to the green.
It would be impossible for mere mortals, but not for McIlroy on what was his 11th hole of the day. He took a steep swipe with a pitching wedge and produced an amazing shot.
“Actually the way I was walking up to my ball, it looked like I didn’t have a backswing, but I didn’t realise the angle, like how far right the green actually was,” McIlroy, who went on to make a miraculous par, explained after his round.
“So I got over it, I was like, OK, I needed to take it a little bit more on the inside than I usually would and sort of just toe it in a little bit, but I sort of got lucky because the wind was hard off the left and I needed to hit that hard draw against the wind, and it was the only way to stop it on – that green I feel like is the firmest green on the course, so it was the only way to stop it.
“I got lucky with the tee shot that I had a swing, but I hit a great shot and was delighted to walk away with a par.”
McIlroy battled testing conditions during the delayed opening day at the Stadium Course which led to a 2-over-par 73.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
