Open Championship

Rory McIlroy recently found himself at the center of a lighthearted moment that has quickly gone viral among golf fans. During the 153rd Open Championship on July 19, 2025, the 36-year-old golfer experienced an unexpected and amusing incident when he unintentionally struck two golf balls at once. This peculiar occurrence happened during the third round of the tournament, leaving both McIlroy and spectators in disbelief. As McIlroy prepared to take a swing with his wedge, he unknowingly unearthed a second ball that had been resting beneath the first. The moment was captured on video, revealing McIlroy’s stunned reaction. “Oh, my God,” he exclaimed, bending down to retrieve the second ball as laughter erupted around him. An announcer could be heard commenting, “There was a ball there! Oh, my Gosh.” The Athletic later shared the clip, humorously captioning it, “Rory McIlroy made another ball appear.” After completing his round, McIlroy reflected on the bizarre incident, admitting he was still trying to comprehend what had just happened. “That is the most weird, ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,” he remarked, as reported by CNN. “Then my ball came out really weird and spinny. Yeah, just so strange.” Even the most seasoned golfers have their off days, and McIlroy is no exception. Earlier in June, during the final round of the PGA’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, he faced another challenge when he shanked a drive directly into the water. Frustrated, he tossed his club backwards in a moment of exasperation, nearly hitting a cameraman in the process. Despite these mishaps, McIlroy remains a formidable competitor in the world of golf. At the Northern Ireland tournament held at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Scottie Scheffler emerged victorious, but McIlroy was eager to make his mark. “When I was looking at the calendar for 2025, this was the tournament that was circled, even more so than the Masters,” he shared with ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti. In April, McIlroy achieved a significant milestone by winning the Masters for the first time, joining the elite club of golfers who have completed a career grand slam. “I’ve done something that I’ve told everyone that I wanted to do, but then it’s like I still feel like I have a lot more to give,” he expressed. “I still feel like there’s a lot left in there. The story certainly isn’t over.” Between tournaments, McIlroy took a brief two-week hiatus to recharge mentally with his wife, Erica Stoll, and their four-year-old daughter, Poppy. The couple, who married in 2017, briefly faced challenges in their relationship, as McIlroy filed for divorce last year but subsequently dismissed the filing a month later. “We came back a few weeks ago and moved into our new home in Wentworth [England] and have been trying to settle in,” he told reporters in June. “It’s amazing what two weeks of a bit of detachment can do for you.” Reflecting on his time off, McIlroy stated, “Sitting there being with your own thoughts for a while. It’s been nice to have this time to reflect and also to rekindle my excitement and enthusiasm for the rest of the year.” As McIlroy continues to navigate the ups and downs of professional golf, fans can look forward to more entertaining moments, both on and off the course. Whether it’s a hilarious double ball incident or a triumphant victory, McIlroy’s journey remains captivating, and his passion for the game is as strong as ever.