Rory McIlroy got a quick assist from his dad as he ended his first round at Augusta National.
Rory McIlroy struggled throughout his first round at Augusta National on Thursday and entered the clubhouse with an ugly 4-over 76. But McIlroy did have one stroke of good luck.
McIlroy's errant shot on the par-4 seventh was flying deep into the rough until it struck a patron in the leg. And it wasn't just any Masters attendee who interfered with the shot. The ball bounced off of McIlroy's dad, trickling away to a relatively safe spot.
McIlroy's help on seventh didn't necessarily save his round. He enters Friday at least seven shots off the lead, needing a significant rally to contend for the green jacket on Sunday.
McIlroy registered fifth-place finishes at Augusta in 2018 and 2020. e has never won The Masters in 12 appearances.
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