A PGA Championship volunteer went to crazy lengths to retrieve Rory McIlroy’s ball from the water on Sunday before keeping it for himself as a prized memento.
The Masters champion had another day to forget here at Quail Hollow, posting a one-over round on Sunday to finish three-over for the tournament.
McIlroy’s dismal performance this week has come as a major surprise, given he has four wins at this course during his career and has been in red-hot form so far this season.
And his tee shot on the short par-four 14th encapsulated his struggles all week as he hit his ball way left of the green and into the water.
But the error presented a volunteer with the perfect opportunity to take home a memorable souvenir from the tournament.
Video shows the man, crouched on all fours, quickly turn around towards the water when he assumed nobody was looking.
A PGA Championship volunteer went to crazy lengths to retrieve Rory McIlroy’s ball
The volunteer reached so far into the water his torso was nearly in the lake by the 14th green
When he managed to retrieve it, cameras caught him drying it and placing it into his pocket
The Masters champion had a week to forget here, finishing three-over for the tournament
Obviously he was able to see McIlroy’s ball not far from the surface as he quickly put his arm in, reached as far as he could and pulled it out.
He was stretching so far that his torso was almost in the water but he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass him by.
After quickly drying the ball off in the grass, the volunteer can then be seen shoving it into the pocket of his trousers before walking along the fringe of the green as though nothing had happened.
McIlroy’s struggles this week could be attributed to the fact he was forced to change driver on the eve of the tournament.
Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio revealed Friday afternoon that his driver was deemed nonconforming and the Masters champion could no longer use it at Quail Hollow.
McIlroy has not spoken to the media since the tournament began but Kerry Haigh, chief championships officer for the PGA of America, confirmed the USGA was asked to test drivers at the PGA Championship.
The USGA, which governs golf in the US and Mexico, regularly conducts tests on the PGA Tour when asked. Results are confidential.
McIlroy was part of roughly 50 players whose drivers were tested, which was described Saturday as a normal procedure designed to protect players who are not aware if their clubs have exceeded limits.
