Less than two weeks after the golf world being fixated on TPC Sawgrass’ island-green 17th, apparently, there’s a new water hazard to watch out for in golf: the swimming pool off the fifth hole at Austin Country Club.
OK, so it’s not actually part of the course at this week’s WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play, but someone’s backyard became part of the story overnight thanks to Rory McIlroy. The four-time Major champ got off to a rough start in his opening match against Ian Poulter, bringing new meaning to the phrase “pool play”.
Have a look at McIlroy hooking his drive off the tee and the tremendous camera work that captures the ball floating/sinking(?) into someone’s pool:
4th Hole: 3-putt from 18 feet.
5th Hole: Tee shot finds swimming pool.@IanJamesPoulter is taking advantage of Rory McIlroy's slow start and is 3UP thru 5. pic.twitter.com/rhnvApdGOo— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 24, 2021
Matchplay is known for its “vagaries”, but that’s a whole new level.
Of course, McIlroy was unable to play his ball as it lies, because not surprisingly, the pool is out-of-bounds. He re-teed and lost to Poulter’s par to go 3 down after five holes before eventually falling to the Englishman, 6&5. So at this rate, he might be looking for a hot tub soon instead.
