Amidst swirling controversy, McIlroy addresses ‘cheating’ accusations while Bhatia seizes the lead | Round 1 at the Texas Open
Opinions among golf enthusiasts are sharply divided regarding the duration Rory McIlroy took to sink his birdie putt.
While some spectators express dissatisfaction over the extended period McIlroy took for his ball to find the cup on the 8th hole during the inaugural round of the Texas Open, the Northern Irishman has clarified that his ball descended within the permissible 10-second timeframe, attributing the delay to a gust of wind.
McIlroy dispatched his 13-foot birdie attempt on the 8th, only to witness it linger precariously on the lip of the cup.
With the clock ticking, he cautiously approached the green, his ball teetering on the brink.
By Rule 13.3, McIlroy availed himself of the stipulated time allowance for a ball hanging over the hole’s edge, eventually witnessing it succumb just before the 10-second cutoff.
Reflecting on the incident post-round, McIlroy remarked, “As I struck the putt, the wind seemed calm, and I feared I had missed my mark. Fortunately, a sudden breeze nudged the ball into the cup, moments before the time limit.”
Although a handful of armchair critics on social media cry foul, accusing McIlroy of flouting regulations with undue delay, official judgment vindicates McIlroy’s adherence to the rules, validating his birdie-four.
Similar debates arose during last month’s Players Championship, notably with Austin Eckroat’s brush with timing constraints.
McIlroy concluded the day with an impeccable 3-under 69, positioning himself favorably for contention at the Texas Open.
His birdies on the 2nd, 8th, and 17th propelled him into the top 10 following the opening round, leaving spectators awed by his finesse.
A stroke of misfortune denied McIlroy a 4-under par finish, as his chip on the 18th narrowly missed the mark, prompting an incredulous reaction and an inadvertent club drop into the bunker.
Meanwhile, in a display of formidable form, American sensation Akshay Bhatia surged to the summit with a commanding 9-under 63.
The 22-year-old showcased mastery with a front nine of 32 and a back nine of 31, culminating in a remarkable run of five birdies in the final seven holes, marking a pinnacle performance in his season.