It was the most awkward lie of the day for Rory McIlroy.
The four-time major winner’s tee shot on the par-3 13th hole at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday somehow landed in the lap of a female spectator who was to the right of the green.
Amid much laughter, the rest of the spectators retreated but the woman remained in place, with her feet crossed and the ball lodged between her legs.
McIlroy went up to her, scratched his head then feigned a shot — to the amusement of the gallery. McIlroy stood back and said: “Right, ermm. Referee!”
Rory McIlroy’s tee shot lands on spectator ‘s lap! 🤯#DPWTC | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/Yklsw5Nqhq
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 16, 2023
The match referee arrived and gave McIlroy a drop, saying: “Basically, it’s the spot underneath her.”
“You can get up,” a laughing McIlroy said to the woman, who handed him the ball, stood up, picked up her bag and returned to the gallery to cheers.
McIlroy chipped onto the green and wound up making bogey. McIlroy, who had already clinched the top spot in the DP World Tour rankings entering the season’s final event, shot a 1-under 71 in the first round and is four shots behind co-leaders Nicolai Hojgaard, Matthieu Pavon and Julien Guerrier.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.