Frustrated Rory McIlroy breaks 3-wood after wayward shot

ByBob Harig ESPN logo
Saturday, July 16, 2016

TROON, Scotland -- Frustration got the best of Rory McIlroy on Saturday afternoon at Royal Troon when he threw his 3-wood from over his head onto the ground, causing the head to snap off the shaft.

McIlroy had just hit a wayward shot on the par-5 16th hole when he slammed the club in anger, using a tomahawk motion that saw the club hit the ground in front of him and break.

He went on to par the hole but was having a frustrating day, having missed several short putts. To that point in his round, McIlroy was 2 over par for in the third round of The Open.

A four-time major champion who won The Open two years ago at Royal Liverpool, McIlroy opened the tournament with rounds of 69 and 71. He was 11 shots behind the leaders Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson at the time he broke the club.