Rory McIlroy has put together one of the most impressive careers in golf history with four majors, 26 PGA Tour wins, and a record three FedEx Cup titles. But now he can add something else to his resume: shooting a hungover 66.
McIlroy admitted as much following Thursday’s opening round at the RBC Canadian Open. The Northern Irishman had an early 7:40 a.m. tee time, which felt even earlier after celebrating his caddie and best friend Harry Diamond’s birthday the night before.
“A bit of a slow start,” McIlroy told Golfweek of his nine consecutive pars to start at Hamilton Golf & Country Club. “Harry’s birthday dinner last night so had a couple of glasses of wine. I was probably feeling a little groggy when I woke up.”
Heck, nine consecutive pars with a hangover is impressive enough. But firing a bogey-free 66? That’s downright heroic.
Sure, it helps when you won by seven shots the last time this tournament was held at this course, but we salute McIlroy for the grit he showed on Thursday. And with a better night’s sleep ahead of a Friday afternoon tee time, the rest of the field could be in big trouble.
