“NOOOO!!” … I would’ve been right there with ’em.
During fourth-hole play at Shinnecock Hills, a fan was seemingly under the impression that she was about to score a souvenir ball following Rory McIlroy hitting a shot wayward Thursday in the U.S. Open first round.
It appears that the woman picked up McIlroy‘s ball following a knock out of the fescue, with the shot directed towards the gallery. At first, it was seemingly going to be a tough part of the golf course to play on.
Following his drive going to the fairway’s left, McIlroy ended up finding himself in a little trouble with the ball placed in the rough, which set up a second shot that was quite challenging. The Northern Irishman ended up hitting to the right off the course, and then into a grassy area after going off a cart path. (RELATED: Beer Crisis In Boston After Scotland Fans Drink Local Bars Dry)
When fans realized where the ball was, they immediately began swarming around it as they always do.
Meanwhile, a woman that was walking by also realized that the ball was close, and in response, she decided to lean over and pick it up in a huge no-no that was caught on the broadcast of USA Network. And not just that, but you could also hear the fans around her scream, “NOOOO!!”
As a result, McIlroy was issued some free relief, chipping the ball on the green prior to ending things for par on the following shot.
WATCH:
In the fescue off the tee and then…
Rory’s in trouble on 4. pic.twitter.com/iSWk6KKJtL
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 18, 2026
My whole thing: there’s still people out there who think you can just freely pick up a golfer‘s ball in a friggin’ major tournament? … Wow.