Fluke hands Drysdale lead as McIlroy and G-Mac hit trouble
A MIRACLE shot that found the water but bounced out again helped Scotland’s David Drysdale share the lead after the first round of the PGA Championship at Wentworth yesterday.
World No291 Drysdale enjoyed the enormous stroke of luck on his second shot to the par-five final hole, which he birdied for a 66 that left him on six under, level with Ireland’s Peter Lawrie.
“You could hit a thousand balls and never have that happen,” said the 37-year-old. “I don’t know what it hit – maybe a fish. It was a massive break. I don’t think I can say what I would have thought if I had taken six or seven there.”
Luck was in short supply for world No1 Rory McIlroy and fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell, however, who both landed in water of the hot variety.
McIlroy is facing a possible fine for throwing his club after he went out of bounds by an inch at the 12th, a low point in a disappointing two-over 74 that leaves him in danger of missing successive cuts. A poor performance this weekend could see McIlroy lose his top ranking to England’s Luke Donald.
McDowell, meanwhile, also carded a 74 after being hit with a two-stroke penalty on the 18th because his ball moved and he did not replace it.
“How are you supposed to attempt to place the ball when you’re not sure it’s moved in the first place?” he said. “It’s just a harsh one; one of those freak scenarios in golf.”