Should Rory McIlroy lift the claret jug in what would be an epic comeback victory at Hoylake, he’ll have at least two fortunate final-round breaks to credit.
McIlroy received free relief not once but twice on Royal Liverpool’s second hole Sunday at The Open. The first came after McIlroy yanked two drives, his first and then his provisional, left into the gallery and close to the course boundary. He found his first ball, which ended up on the edge of a concrete path and just feet from a temporary fence.
Though it was unclear and not explained on the broadcast, it appeared that McIlroy received TIO relief from the fence and/or the path.