The Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina is currently hosting The CJ Cup. And the 2022 FedEx Cup champion, Rory McIlroy, almost made an albatross in the tournament’s second round. The golfer’s massive shot didn’t only helped him secure a spot in the Top 5, but in the hearts of the golf fans as well.
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McIlroy was on fire during the second round of The CJ Cup. He not only made an albatross but hit the ball from the tee with a 187 MPH ball speed. Moreover, his ball reached found green 347 yards away from the tee box.
Nearly an albatross! 😲@McIlroyRory almost sinks it from 230 yards out after a monster drive. https://t.co/oOQCTZAn7o pic.twitter.com/5WJw2CXKKs
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2022
The PGA Tour posted the video of the Irish golfer almost making an albatross on Twitter recently. The viewers can see in the video how he almost holed the ball from a 230-yards distance.
The golfer’s effort achieved a lot of appreciation from golf fans.
An albatross is a 3-under par on a hole. And only 18 golfers were able to make it in the history of major tournaments. While the golfers were fortunate enough to record eight albatross at the Open Championship, they couldn’t do well at the other three majors.
Only four golfers could make a 3-under par on a hole at the Masters, and three at the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. Young Tom Morris made the first-ever albatross in a major at the British Open in 1870. And Nick Watney sank the last one at the U. S. Open in 2012.
Making an albatross is never easy; hence, he received much appreciation from the golf world for his effort.
@hemesh_dayal @AMG133 @_keyurs please just look at his approach shot. My god..
— Mithen Bhana (@mbhana) October 21, 2022
Omg!! The ball flight, the insane accuracy. If he doesn’t win a major or two next year…
— Chris 😎🚴🏾♂️🏌🏾♀️🖤🤍 (@SoulstarWhitey) October 21, 2022
We were there, right on the side of the green where the ball hit…..missed the putt but damn it was a great shot👍
— ShadyL (@RoyalKingdom71) October 21, 2022
@M45Alan what a bum…who misses this shot?
— Brian Smith (@BSmithLHP) October 21, 2022
Carbon fibre inserts seem to make such a sweeter sound
— tonyash (@tonyash111) October 22, 2022
So crazy your guys hero never wins 🤣🤣🤣
— jnewt (@jnewt90238335) October 21, 2022
187 MPH ball speed.
315 yards of carry.
347 yard drive.
Mouth runs at 875 mph— DP Dutcher (@DpDutcher) October 21, 2022
Many fans of the FedEx Cup champion congratulated and praised him for almost making the rarest achievement. However, some made fun of him and the PGA Tour for his failed effort.
Has Rory McIlroy ever made an albatross in his professional career?
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Rory McIlroy turned professional in 2007. He has won 4 major tournaments, 3 World Golf Championships, and 3 FedEx Cup titles. In his 15 years of career, the world no. 2 golfer has made several achievements, but he has yet to make a successful albatross.
Interestingly, the Northern Irishman once had an experience similar to the 2022 CJ Cup, where he almost won golf’s rarest achievement. The golfer came close to making an albatross at the 2016 Deutsche Bank Championship in Massachusetts on Sunday. McIlroy then had to be content with an eagle at the par-five 18th.
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It is the second time McIlroy lost his chance to make a 3-under on an individual hole. How long do you think it would take before he makes a successful one?
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