UPDATE: Sky Sports has issued an urgent apology following a shocking outburst by Rory McIlroy during the DP World Championship in Jumeirah on Saturday. The Northern Irish golfer, who is vying for a winner’s cheque of £2.3 million, expressed his frustration with a foul-mouthed reaction after missing a crucial birdie opportunity on the par-four 12th hole.
As the tension mounted during the tournament’s third round, McIlroy’s exclamation, “No WAY! F***ing greens,” was caught live by course-side microphones. Dominik Holyer, Sky Sports commentator, quickly addressed the incident, stating, “Apologies. Frustration for the Race to Dubai leader and World No. 2.”
With the stakes incredibly high, McIlroy currently holds the top position in the Race to Dubai standings with 4,640.06 points. However, the competition remains fierce, as Marco Penge and Tyrrell Hatton are in striking distance, holding 3,873.04 and 2,919.18 points, respectively. The winner of the DP World Championship can earn up to 2,000 points, meaning McIlroy must maintain his composure to secure the coveted title.
Earlier in the tournament, McIlroy started strong with an impressive six-under par round on Thursday, but faced challenges on Friday, finishing with a three-under score. He later described the conditions as “slightly tougher,” admitting, “I missed a couple more fairways, and when I did, I got some really bad lies.”
Despite the pressure, McIlroy demonstrated resilience on the course. He noted, “The one thing I did very well today was, when I made a bogey, I bounced back straight away with a birdie, which was nice.” This ability to recover is crucial as he navigates the demanding holes of the Earth Course.
Adding to the drama, the DP World Tour recently honored McIlroy by announcing the creation of the Rory McIlroy Award, which will recognize the player with the best performance across the four major championships starting next year. McIlroy expressed his gratitude, stating, “To have something named after you… is a huge honour and it is very humbling.”
As the tournament continues, all eyes are on McIlroy, whose outburst has not only drawn attention to his emotional investment in the game but also underscored the immense pressure he faces. With the final round approaching, fans and competitors alike are eager to see if he can clinch another championship title.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds throughout the weekend.
