RORY MCILROY SUFFERS MELTDOWN IN THE WATER AT COGNIZANT CLASSIC
Rory McIlroy makes a triple-bogey seven on 16 to fall out of contention on the PGA Tour.
Rory McIlroy lost his chance to win during the third round of the Cognizant Classic at The Palm Beaches due to a poor performance on the challenging Bear Trap holes at PGA National.
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McIlroy narrowed the gap to two shots of the leader by scoring three birdies in four holes at the beginning of the back nine.
However, the World No.2 faced a setback when he scored a bogey on the par-3 15th hole and a triple-bogey seven on the par-4 16th hole.
“McIlroy successfully hit the center of the fairway on the 16th hole, which is considered the most challenging hole at PGA National.” For much of the week, McIlroy struggled with his approach shots, landing in the water well to the right of the green.
McIlroy, with his ball barely touching the water, cautiously adjusted a rope and chose to take the shot in order to save par. McIlroy removed his sock and shoe from his right foot before splashing his ball out.
Regrettably, the ball struck the bank ahead of him and rebounded back into the water. McIlroy proceeded to take his drop from that location, hit his ball to within 10 feet of the hole, and unfortunately missed the subsequent putt.
Only the third triple-bogey seven was recorded on the 16th hole throughout the week.
WATCH RORY MCILROY’S MELTDOWN HERE.
McIlroy then missed a short six-footer for birdie on the par-3 17th but he did birdie the par-5 18th to card a 1-over 72.
It leaves McIlroy on 7-under par for the tournament and six strokes off the pace currently set by Shane Lowry, Austin Eckroat and David Skinns.
Former Open champion Lowry carded a solid 5-under 66 to move to 13-under par and he was joined by America’s Eckroat (68) and England’s Skinns (66).
Australia’s Min Woo Lee is also in contention on 10-under par after a 66.
Overnight leader Bud Cauley carded a lacklustre 74 to fall back into the pack on 8-under par.
