Despite His First PGA Tour Hole-in-One, Rory McIlroy and His Fellow Competitor Face an Unexpected Foe in the $20,000,000 Competition

The Travelers Championship has finally begun at the TPC River Highlands, and already there are plenty of historic moments marking the event. Rory McIlroy became the new Ace of the PGA Tour by making his career’s first Hole in One during the tournament. This spectacular achievement was sported by Matthew Fitzpatrick in the 2023 US Open just a week back, when he became the first defending champion in the 122 year history of the US Open to hit an ace.

Amid the joy and enthusiasm though, there is a troublemaker on the course that keeps hindering the progress of these dedicated golfers. This instigator stands tall and ready to ward off all the good shots, causing an uproar among the players and audience alike, but in a good way.

What are the chances that Rory McIlroy and Tom face the same mischievous entity?

The last few PGA tour events have been nothing if not a series of laughs and gags from the get-go. With a bunch of hilarious moments involving Adam Hadwin, Keith Mithell, Si-Woo Kim, and so many to list at the 2023 US Open, now it’s time for the 2023 Travelers Championship to deliver chuckles.

The latest hilarity came from a single entity that sways to the wind and bounces back the most extraordinary shots by the PGA tour golfers. No one seems offended but what are the chances that the same vital force, a tree no less, is the cause of missed shots by not one but two golfers!

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With the ace shot that etched his name in the PGA Tour this season, Rory McIlroy is stumped (pun intended) that both he and Tom Kim hit the same tree. Kim wasn’t too thrilled or amused when he hit the tree on his second shot at the 10th hole. The ball bounced back instead of making its way to his intended target. Nevertheless, he carried on with his third shot.

The Irish golfer seemed in much better spirits when he took his tee shot at the 10th hole, and ended up hitting the same tree. “Who put the tree there?” the PGA Tour hilariously captioned their Instagram post.

It would seem ironic if it wasn’t purely coincidental. Tom, who is one under par after the first round, is preparing for a comeback in the second round. Despite McIlroy’s hole-in-one, he remains two under par at T48. The second round of the Travelers Championship will determine whether or not the two players make the cut. Undoubtedly, they are both cursing the essence of the tree and hoping it will stay out of their way for the rest of the season.

The 10th hole amuses fans and the golfing community

With a career-altering performance, to be taken down by a tree must be a hard hit. The world of golf is in stitches despite the quintessential agitator having accosted both Rory McIlroy and Tom Kim. Most people find it extremely jocular that a single tree is causing so much havoc for the players.

Even the Irish Football Association couldn’t help but join in on the fun at the expense of the golfers. “Tree to one “ came the comment from their official Instagram handle.

American PGA Tour golfer Harry Higgs, reflected upon his experience at the TPC River Highlands a year ago,

“Hit that damn tree two separate days last year.”

Another Football enthusiast sees the obvious role of the tree as a goalie and commented, 

“With the first pick in the NFL draft, the Houston Texans select, Tree, DB UConn.” The tree sure drew a lot of attention to the golfing world from the football community.

The PGA Tour also raised the question in their Instagram post, “What are the odds? Rory and Tom’s shots both hit the same tree.” A fan directed their reply to the Association, “Well it’s right in the center, the odds are very high. Higher than any other tree.” There are still many who find the situation extremely ridiculous and downright funny. “It’s in the middle of the fairway. Not that crazy,” another fan added.

While these spectators saw the brighter side of the incident, some fans sympathized with McIlroy and Kim’s plight.

“Trees don’t belong in the middle of the fairway. 🌳” An Instagram fan pointed out in support of the two golfers. Clearly, their one and two shots under are credited to the tree by some admirers.

Another Instagram user commented, “How was Kim’s drive only like 150 yards to even be hitting from there on his second?”

The questions are piling on after the first round of the Travelers Championship PGA Tour. Do you think the tree will hinder the players in the second round? Will McIlroy and Tom Kim make the cut? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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