Rory McIlroy hit a drive that landed on the green at the ninth hole [3] during the second round of the 2026 Open Championship [2].
The feat highlights McIlroy's power and precision during the 154th Open [1], a tournament where every single stroke can determine the final leaderboard. Such a rare shot puts immense pressure on the subsequent putt to secure a significant scoring advantage.
Playing the ninth hole [3], McIlroy hit his drive onto the putting surface. The shot left him with a short putt for eagle, which would have provided a substantial boost to his round. However, the putt did not drop, and McIlroy settled for a birdie instead [4].
This moment occurred during the second round of the competition [2]. While the eagle narrowly escaped him, the birdie keeps the golfer in a strong position as the tournament progresses through its early stages.
The 2026 event [2] continues to draw attention for high-impact plays from the world's top golfers. McIlroy's ability to reach the green in a single stroke on a par-4 or par-5 hole remains one of the most challenging tasks in professional golf due to the precision required and the volatility of the wind.
“Rory McIlroy hit a drive that landed on the green at the ninth hole”
Reaching a green with a drive is an extremely rare occurrence in championship golf, signaling a peak in physical performance and accuracy. Although the missed eagle putt prevented a maximum score on the hole, the resulting birdie maintains McIlroy's momentum in the 154th Open, demonstrating his capability to challenge the course's layout with aggressive play.
