The World No3’s drive on the par-5 15th was so wayward it flew beyond the trees, over the spectators and nestled into a golf buggy being used by an official of the Augusta National.
RORY McIlroy’s round went from bad to worse, when he put a tee shot into the glove compartment of a golf cart.
The World No3’s drive on the par-5 15th was so wayward it flew beyond the trees, over the spectators and nestled into a golf buggy being used by an official of the Augusta National.
It finished up wedged between two water bottles.
A red-faced McIlroy had to walk up to the cart and chatted with officials before taking his ball out for a free shot, with no penalty.
Amazingly he managed to get on the green with his next two shots and had a 8ft putt for par.
McIlroy came into the season's first major championship as the pre-tournament favourite.
But an opening round of 73, which included bogeys on 17 and 18, gave him a poor start.
His second day started no better, with another bogey on the second hole.
But a birdie on the par-3 sixth, followed by an eagle on the eighth improved his fortunes.
The Northern Irishman however struggled on the back nine, dropping shots at the 11th and 13th, where his second shot ended up in the famous Rae's Creek.
Then came his buggy shot at the 15th.
McIlroy recovered to save para at the 15th, and then birdied the 16th to finish with a 71, to leaving him level par for the tournament.
He is still in with an outside shout, as five players share the lead at -7.
