Rory McIlroy gave fans at the Open Championship something completely unexpected during his third-round play on Saturday.
Rory McIlroy hits one ball… and another one appears from the dirt
As he stood over a shot from the thick rough, McIlroy launched a clean stroke toward the green. But right after contact, something strange happened, another golf ball popped out of the ground right behind his.
Rory’s ball was sitting directly on top of… ANOTHER golf ball?
Absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/YMSyACIY56
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) July 19, 2025
McIlroy briefly froze, then bent down and picked up the surprise ball, holding it up in disbelief while his original shot sailed through the air. Even he had to laugh.
A wild golf moment at the Open leaves fans and Rory stunned
The random ball appeared to be buried just under the surface. McIlroy’s club must have clipped it on the way through. Though it looked bizarre, it didn’t count against him, since he never meant to hit a second ball.
Spectators and fans online couldn’t believe it either. Social media quickly filled with clips and jokes, including one viewer asking if it should be considered a penalty. Rules experts chimed in, pointing out that as long as the second ball wasn’t struck intentionally, McIlroy was in the clear.
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One post summed it up perfectly: “I’ve watched golf for 30 years. Never seen that before.”
Rory heads into the final day six back of the leader, Scottie Scheffler, as he is tied in fourth with three others, at -8.
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