Rory McIlroy once had his round delayed by an uninvited guest at the Travelers Championship
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260410 -- AUGUSTA, April 10, 2026 -- Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts during the round 1 of the 2026 Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, the United States, on April 9, 2026. SPU.S.-AUGUSTA-GOLF-2026 MASTERS-ROUND 1 WuxXiaoling PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
Rory McIlroy has dealt with loud fans, tough crowds, and some of golf's hardest courses. But at the 2018 Travelers Championship, a squirrel stopped him from even hitting his first shot.
The incident happened on Saturday, June 23, 2018, during the third round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
McIlroy had just been introduced on the first tee and was getting ready to hit his opening shot when a squirrel suddenly ran across the tee box just a few feet in front of him, according to Golf Channel.
Golf: U.S. Open 3rd round Rory Mcllroy of Britain plays a shot from a bunker on the 17th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, on June 15, 2019. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY
Golf: U.S. Open 3rd round Rory Mcllroy of Britain plays a shot from a bunker on the 17th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, on June 15, 2019. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY
McIlroy pulled out of his swing and laughed it off. The squirrel, however, was not done. It criss-crossed the tee box for several seconds before McIlroy's caddie, Harry Diamond, finally intervened and managed to usher it away.
The delay did not help. McIlroy blocked his drive into the right rough and made a bogey at the first hole. He played his opening five holes in 2-over and ultimately shot a 1-under 69 for the round.
"Squirrel who interrupts swings > Guy who yells 'Baba Booey' every time," Golf Channel posted on X at the time.
McIlroy entered the third round within three shots of Brian Harman. The 69 dropped him into a tie for 15th heading into the final round, eight shots behind third-round leader Paul Casey.
The week ended without a recovery materializing. Bubba Watson came from six shots back to win his third Travelers Championship title, shooting a final-round 63. Paul Casey, Beau Hossler, Stewart Cink, and J.B. Holmes tied for second.
McIlroy finished the tournament at 8-under par, far behind the leaders.
The squirrel incident, as reported by Golf Channel, is still one of the most memorable moments at TPC River Highlands.
McIlroy has played at the course several times since then, with mixed results.
Rory McIlroy later called TPC River Highlands "obsolete" following the 2023 Travelers Championship
McIlroy did not hold back his feelings about TPC River Highlands after the 2023 Travelers Championship.
He tied for seventh at 18-under, a score that would win most PGA Tour events, but was five shots behind winner, Keegan Bradley, who set the tournament record at 23-under.
"I don't particularly like when a tournament is like this," McIlroy said, per Fox News.
He said TPC River Highlands has not kept up with improvements in golf clubs and balls. Because of that, he believes the course is no longer challenging enough for PGA Tour players.
Tournament officials said the course stayed softer than expected because of a cold spring and rain. The soft conditions made it easier for players to shoot low scores.
McIlroy did not play in the 2026 Travelers Championship. He skipped the final signature event of the season as part of his lighter tournament schedule.
Do you think TPC River Highlands should still be one of the PGA Tour's signature event courses? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi