US Open: McIlroy slams club into sand after bunker-to-bunker nightmare but miraculously saves par

By Jack Bantock, CNN

Updated 1915 GMT (0315 HKT) June 16, 2022

Rory McIlroy hits on the fifth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open.

(CNN)For a few brief moments, Rory McIlroy looked relatable to the average golfer. Then, the Northern Irishman served a reminder of why he is a four-time major winner.

Enjoying a fast start at the 122nd U.S Open — hosted at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts — disaster struck on his fourteenth hole, the fifth hole, when McIlroy launched his tee shot towards a bunker on the right side of the fairway.Faced with an awkward lie — the ball sat amongst the tall grass at the bunker's tip — things went from bad to worse as the 33-year-old successfully escaped the bunker only to watch his ball fizz into the sand of another mere yards in front.McIlroy cast a despairing look at his feet before slamming his club into the sand twice, with technique imitating an — albeit aggressive — bunker exit shot. Fittingly, the world No. three proceeded to show his flawless technique with his subsequent exit effort from the middle of the next bunker, the ball scooping onto the green and rolling narrowly past the hole.Read MoreSinking his putt to save par, McIlroy's great escape highlighted an impressive opening round that left him tied for the lead at three-under 67 when he returned to the clubhouse.McIlroy reacts to his putt on the 12th hole.Two-under through the back nine after starting at the 10th hole, he had looked set to finish his round as the outright leader with back-to-back birdies ahead of the last tee. However, an awkward approach shot into the long grass at the par-four final hole left McIlroy needing another miracle to make par. Throwing his club away in anger, the reaction mimicked that