Rory McIlroy has come under fire after being accused of not behaving like "a great champion" following his latest Masters meltdown, which threatens his aspiration of a career Grand Slam.
Lying second in the world rankings, McIlroy started promisingly and was four-under par across the first 14 holes until a pair of late round double bogeys marred his performance. This resulted in him posting a level-par 72 and trailing seven shots behind leader Justin Rose after the opening round.
Disaster struck on hole 15 when McIlroy's approach overshot the green, his subsequent chip shot careened across the green into the water, culminating in a dreaded seven.
Golf Channel pundit Paul McGinley criticised his countryman for losing concentration prior to his calamitous third stroke.
McGinley remarked: "I think he got distracted," referring to the lengthy gap before playing that pivotal pitch. McIlroy had to bide his time as fellow player Akshay Bhatia took considerable time over his water-bound second shot, reports the Mirror.
McGinley elaborated: "So A it took a long time. Then B his ball landed in Rory's line so he had to wait for him to walk around the lake to mark his ball. Then he had to wait for the players to walk off the 16th tee. So he ended up waiting five minutes to play his shot.
"He is such a quick player - he wants to get on with hit. He got distracted. I don't blame Bhatia or the players walking off 16. For a player who likes to play quickly, it was a drop in concentration. And that is what great champions don't do. And I am sure that the 17th was a legacy of it."
McIlroy's quest for a career Grand Slam suffered another setback after a disappointing opening round at the Masters, where he finished with a seven and a double bogey on the 17th. The Holywood man, who won his third Major at the 2014 Open, did not speak to the media post-round and instead beelined for the practice range.
This marks his 11th attempt to secure the elusive title at Augusta National.
With 18 of the last 19 Masters champions being within four shots of the lead after the first round, McIlroy's history of only breaking 70 twice in 17 opening rounds at Augusta does not bode well. He now finds himself trailing by at least six shots after the first day in his last six appearances at the Masters.
"It is a long way back for him," commented McGinley. "No-one will be beating himself up more than him. It has got to be gut-wrenching for him."
The situation was made even more difficult as McIlroy, who led by four shots going into the final round in 2011 only to shoot an 80 and finish tied 15th, was outperformed by both his playing partners this time around. American Bhatia ended with three consecutive birdies for a 70, while Ludwig Aberg, last year's runner-up, carded a 68 to join Scottie Scheffler and Corey Connors in second place.
Aberg, who has played his first five rounds at Augusta in 11-under par, was at a loss to explain his success, simply stating: "I don't know!"
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