Golf fans are proposing a permanent ban for the female fan who stole Rory McIlroy’s golf ball.
Rory McIlroy Incident Ignites Fury After Female Fan Picks Up His Golf Ball at U.S. Open
Rory McIlroy is one of the biggest stars in the history of golf. So, if a fan happens to come across one of his golf balls, the temptation to keep it as a souvenir is understandable. But during a professional event, let alone a major? That is just not how golf works. However, one fan didn’t think of that [or didn’t know]. When the Northern Irishman’s tee shot on the fourth landed in fescue, a female fan appeared to be picking up the ball.
Under Rule 9.6, a golfer incurs no penalty if a ball is moved by outside influence, including spectators; the ball must be replaced at its original spot. The golfer incurs no penalty. The USGA play-by-play information showed that his tee shot traveled 287 yards and dropped in right in the native area. Interestingly enough, the broadcast camera cut away the moment the lady stooped down to grab the ball. You can hear a collective “no” from the other spectators who were gathering around. However, there’s no information yet on whether the fan put the ball back or had it replaced.
Update: Golf.com later reported that the female fan didn’t pick up the ball after other spectators hollered, “no.” An USGA official said in a statement to Golf.com that from reviewing the footage and speaking to other fans, they confirmed that the ball was not lifted from the ground, and McIlroy went on to play it as it lay.
Either way, McIlroy ultimately played from the spot where his ball originally came to rest. He responded in style, hitting a wedge and then draining an 18-foot putt to save par. Just one hole later, he made an eagle to move into the solo lead. While it is rare to see fans pick up golf balls, this is not an isolated event.
During the 2023 WM Phoenix Open, for example, a fan caught Jordan Spieth’s ball. The crowd around immediately started to yell back, after which the fan threw the ball. Another incident occurred at the 2022 Amundi Evian Championship. There, a fan picked up Nelly Korda’s ball, and an official standing nearby yelled at her and asked her to put it back where she had picked it up!
In instances where a fan moves the ball, tournament officials have discretion to eject spectators. Regardless of whether that was the case, fans on social media had already reached their verdict.
Golf fans demand punishment for allegedly lifting Rory McIlroy’s ball
While fans had a lot to say, one of them called for the harshest possible punishment. “Agreed – immediate ejection and lifetime ban!” the X user wrote. Although it may seem an extreme suggestion, the golf world has seen similar penalties, and one of them occurred this year.
Earlier this year, YouTuber Jack Doherty received a lifetime ban from all PGA Tour events. He paid a spectator to shout during Mackenzie Hughes’s backswing at the WM Phoenix Open.
Golfweek’s Cameron Jourdan wrote, “Kick people out who pick up golf balls at majors. I truly don’t understand why anyone’s first instinct would be to pick up a golf ball,” he said. Echoing similar feelings, another user said, “Kick the woman out for picking it up.”
Interestingly, one spectator picked up Phil Mickelson’s ball while it was still in play during the final round of the PGA Championship 2021. Similarly, another fan mistakenly walked away with Bryson DeChambeau’s ball at the TOUR Championship that same year.
Some fans also leaned on sarcasm. “I’m at a golf tournament, and a ball just landed next to me. I know, I’ll pick it up. 🙄😂,” wrote one person.
The angry fans saw a baffling lack of awareness of golf’s cardinal rule. Many viewers believed the spectator’s action crossed a line. This was regardless of whether the incident affected Rory McIlroy’s play.
