At the Crown Australian Open in Melbourne, Rory McIlroy’s return to the tournament after more than a decade arrived with anticipation rather than ease. A Masters champion earlier in the season and one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, his presence at Royal Melbourne drew packed galleries and renewed competitive interest. 

But on Friday, midway through the second round, the focus shifted unexpectedly from the leaderboard to a six-second clip from the 14th hole that spread across social media within hours of the shot being struck.

What happened became the talking point of the day rather than his score. On the par-5 14th, McIlroy’s tee shot settled under the dense branches of a tea tree on the right side of the fairway. Instead of taking relief, he lowered himself into the bushes, shortening his grip and attempting a low punch back toward the fairway. On the downswing, the clubhead snagged a branch and failed to reach the ball. The result was a complete miss, a fresh-air swing rarely seen at this level.

McIlroy did not hide from it. Speaking after the round, he said: “Not one of my finer moments on 14, I can’t remember the last time I had a fresh air.” He explained the choice of shot: “I was trying to get in really low like Seve, flick it back into play. Yeah, I caught a branch on the way down and completely missed the ball.” The mistake led to a bogey, and for a brief period, he dropped outside the projected cut line.

Where the round turned was the stretch that followed. After the bogey, he played the final four holes in three-under, producing scoring when it mattered most. He birdied the 15th, steadied with par on the 16th, then added birdies at the 17th and 18th to finish with a three-under 68, moving him to two-under for the tournament.

That closing run ensured he will compete over the weekend. Reflecting on it, McIlroy said: “It wasn’t looking great after the bogey on 14, but overall, a great finish, delighted to be here for the weekend.” He acknowledged his level wasn’t at its sharpest: “I certainly haven’t had my best stuff over the last couple of days, but it was nice to finish the way that I did.”

When the shift occurred, late in the afternoon, after a round marked by steady wind and firm greens, the leaderboard had already stretched. Daniel Rodrigues set the pace with a 64, while Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen followed with a 66, placing McIlroy seven shots back heading into Saturday.

The position is challenging, though not without possibility. McIlroy has played from behind before, and the nature of Royal Melbourne, fast fairways, strategic lines, and variable wind, has a history of creating movement. His view was direct: “Seven isn’t too far back. I feel like if I can go out tomorrow morning and shoot a good one, I can get myself right back into the tournament.”

How the day unfolded told two stories at once. A single shot reduced a world-class player to silence under a tea tree, while the last four holes restored his tournament and proved the value of composure in a difficult position. The clip may continue to circulate, but the scorecard carries equal weight: a 68 under pressure to make the cut.

The Australian Open weekend will now feature one of its headline names. A fresh-air swing on the 14th may mark the moment, but his response over the final holes defines the day, and keeps the tournament within reach.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Joyita Das