The battle for world No.1 may be just beginning this week at the 2023 Waste Management Phoenix Open, but the battle for best recovery shot looks over before some guys had even started the tournament.
That’s because we’re already bestowing that unofficial honour on Rory McIlroy, the current world No.1, who flashed some magic fitting of a man of that status during the opening round at TPC Scottsdale. After a wild tee shot on the par-4 second hole left him in the native area amid a bunch of trees and nearly up against a metal fence, the four-time Major champion pulled off a ridiculous recovery that somehow found the green and left announcers nearly speechless. Have a look:
Are you kidding 🤯@McIlroyRory has no issues from the trees @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/t6Ljad7w3o
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 9, 2023
“Woah!”
“Are you kidding?!”
“What?!”
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
According to TourCast, McIlroy’s second shot travelled 127 yards (116 metres) to the centre of the green. McIlroy two-putted for par to remain one-over early on what has been a windy day of difficult scoring.
McIlroy will probably remain No.1 in the Official World Golf Ranking with a strong week – and would retain his position with a win – but both Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm have possible paths to the top spot as well. But even if they do, again, good luck topping that shot, guys.
