Matt Fitzpatrick makes sly dig at PGA Tour after Rory McIlroy incident

Matt Fitzpatrick wasn’t going to miss his chance. 

The Englishman saw Rory McIlroy’s clubhead fly off his nine-iron on the 12th hole of his first round at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

McIlroy’s ball still somehow ended seven feet from the hole, but the sight of the Northern Irishman’s head spiralling 20 yards ahead of him was quite the novelty.

And it reminded his Ryder Cup teammate Fitzpatrick of his own problems with a damaged club just a few weeks ago.

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Fitzpatrick fumed at a PGA Tour rules official after he was unable to replace his cracked Titleist driver during the final round of the BMW Championship in August. His playing partner Scottie Scheffler was similarly perplexed.

The rules official determined the driver was not replaceable because it had a “lack of significant damage.” Under the USGA’s rules, a club is not replaceable just because it has a crack.

“It’s an absolute disgrace,” Fitzpatrick said to the official. “I will make sure something is done after the round because it’s a joke. It’s the most obvious crack I’ve ever seen.”

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He was clearly incredulous about that controversy and, on this evidence, he hasn’t forgotten about it just yet either.

“Not sure that’s significant enough damage to be replaced…. @PGATOUR,” Fitzpatrick posted alongside a laughing emoji on X, reacting to the McIlroy flashpoint. 

The subtle dig at Tour officials was certainly well received on social media. 

Fitzpatrick opened his tournament with a level-par 72 in the DP World Tour’s flagship event, leaving him five shots behind McIlroy after round one.

McIlroy missed his seven footer for eagle on the 12th, but still carded an impressive 67 to put himself right in the mix at Wentworth.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.