Rory McIlroy Converts a Birdie Putt After Wild Grandstand Backstop

Shots hitting off grandstands and rolling back into play have always felt a little, well, yucky. If the seats weren’t there, guys would be lucky to make bogeys. And on Thursday at the TOUR Championship, Rory McIlroy went on to make a birdie after he bladed his third shot on the par-5 18th out of a greenside bunker.

After making a bogey on the 17th, the Northern Irishman needed to make a birdie on the closing hole to draw within five shots of Russell Henley, who posted a 9-under 62 that was aided but 200 feet worth of putts.

He lost his drive down the last way left, then hit a four iron that leaked out to the right. When his ball came to rest, he was left with everyone’s least favorite shot in golf: the long-range bunker shot.

And when I tell you he bladed this thing, all you could hear over the telecast was golf ball. No sand whatsoever. But after nailing the grandstand behind 18 green, his ball came to rest on the upper shelf, and the Northern Irishman buried the putt for a closing four.

But the best part? The look McIlroy and his playing partner Scottie Scheffler shared afterward. They both knew Rors got away with one.

If you’re planning on watching the action from East Lake on Friday, the tee times have been moved up due to inclement weather in Atlanta. Make sure to set those alarms if you like to sleep in!