UPDATE: Rory McIlroy’s frustration boiled over during the DP World Championship in Jumeirah on Saturday, resulting in a brief expletive-filled outburst that prompted an immediate apology from Sky Sports. As the Northern Irish golfer vies for a massive £2.3 million winner’s cheque and aims to secure the Race to Dubai crown, tensions were running high during the crucial third round.
At approximately 3:30 PM local time, McIlroy missed a critical birdie opportunity at the par-four 12th hole. His ball rolled agonizingly wide, leaving him stranded in ninth place with an overall score of 10-under. Frustrated viewers heard him shout, “No WAY! F***ing greens,” sparking commentary from Sky Sports’ Dominik Holyer, who quickly apologized to those offended by the outburst. “Apologies. Frustration for the Race to Dubai leader and World No. 2,” he noted.
Currently, McIlroy leads the Race to Dubai standings with 4,640.06 points. However, with 2,000 points on the line for the championship winner, his spot at the top is not secure. Competitors Marco Penge and Tyrrell Hatton are both in contention, holding 3,873.04 and 2,919.18 points respectively.
McIlroy started strong on Thursday with a remarkable six-under par score but faced challenges on Friday, finishing three-under. “Yes, I had to battle more today than I did yesterday,” he remarked, attributing his struggles to difficult course conditions.
As the tournament progresses, McIlroy’s resilience has been on display. “The one thing I did very well today was, when I made a bogey, I bounced back straight away with a birdie,” he said, indicating his mental toughness under pressure. He expressed optimism about navigating the tougher holes, stating, “If you just get through those holes with pars, not trying to be a hero, and then just take advantage of the easier holes, that’s sort of how I tried to piece it together today.”
As if the pressure of the tournament wasn’t enough, McIlroy received a special honor ahead of the weekend’s finale. The DP World Tour announced they will introduce the Rory McIlroy Award starting in 2026, which will be given to the player who performs best across the four major championships each season. “To have something named after you, that will be presented to future generations of players, is a huge honour,” McIlroy remarked, reflecting on the significance of the accolade.
With the tournament entering its final stretch, all eyes will be on McIlroy as he aims to convert his strong position into victory. The stakes are high, and with only two rounds left, fans can expect intense competition as McIlroy battles both his rivals and his own frustrations on the course.
Stay tuned for the latest updates as the DP World Championship unfolds, and watch for how McIlroy manages the mounting pressure in pursuit of glory.
