Rory McIlroy survives chaotic finish to make cut at BMW PGA Championship
Posted : 16 September 2023
Rory McIlroy successfully navigated a chaotic final hole to secure his place in the weekend rounds at the BMW PGA Championship. The day was marked by an 80-minute fog delay, and the second round ended amidst unusual scenes with multiple groups waiting on the 18th tee. Thomas Bjorn had a heated exchange with an unruly spectator.
As darkness loomed, McIlroy managed a two-putt finish on the 18th hole to reach the projected cut of one under par. This was later confirmed as the second round concluded on Saturday. McIlroy, a Northern Irishman, expressed his astonishment at the crowded final holes, saying, "I've never remembered having that many players on 17 and 18. It's hard for me trying to play the last well and make the cut, it's a bit of a scramble to get finished."
He suggested that having fewer players in the field might alleviate such situations. McIlroy shot a one-under-par 71 on Friday. Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose and Nicolai Hojgaard also made the cut at one under par.
Remarkably, all 12 members of the European Ryder Cup team made the cut, as the remaining nine groups who couldn't finish their rounds on Friday completed them on Saturday morning.
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre disclosed that he was heckled by a spectator who claimed to have bet against him. Despite the distraction, MacIntyre carded a 69 to make the cut. He was playing alongside Ryder Cup teammates Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick.
At the top of the leaderboard, Ryder Cup debutant Ludvig Aberg, one of captain Luke Donald's picks, shared the lead at 10 under par with fellow Swede Sebastian Soderberg. Aberg bounced back from a double bogey with a strong finish, including three consecutive birdies, to card a 66.
Tommy Fleetwood from England ended the day in a four-way tie for second at nine under par after a brilliant six-under-par 66. His compatriot Aaron Rai was one shot back, tied for third place.
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