Nick Dougherty knows Rory McIlroy pretty well.
The Sky Sports Golf host has called the shots on McIlroy’s career for a UK audience for the last decade.
1
It was a mixed round for McIlroy on ThursdayCredit: Getty
Before that, the two golfers played alongside each other as Dougherty’s professional career was coming to an end and McIlroy’s was beginning.
But just when you think you have seen everything in the game of golf, it finds a way to surprise you.
Dougherty was commentating on McIlroy’s first round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Thursday when he witnessed something new.
A completely mishit skull of a chip shot. Like one of us.
READ MORE ON RORY MCILROY
The five-time major winner was looking for a birdie at the 18th when he knifed one across the green and into the opposite bunker.
A stunned Dougherty said: “Was that a mishit?
“No spin at all. I don’t think I’ve seen him hit one as bad as that before.”
McIlroy would get up-and-down to save his par, carding an opening four-under 68 to stay within four shots of the lead.
Rory’s new toy
McIlroy is leading the Race to Dubai as the season reaches its climax at the first of two play-off events in the Middle East.
The reigning Masters champion is experimenting with a new driver – the TaylorMade Qi4D.
And he appears to like it.
McIlroy went semi-viral on Thursday morning for driving the green at the 394-yard 10th hole in Abu Dhabi.
Reflecting on his round, the Northern Irishman said: “It was OK. I feel like I gave myself a lot of chances on the back nine, but was under-reading them.
“Not to birdie the last after where I was off the tee was a little disappointing.
“But hopefully that’s the bad round out of the way. There’s three more rounds to try and go a bit lower.”
He added: “The driver was good. There’s a new driver in the bag this week. Felt like that work well.
“I hit some good iron shots, controlled my irons well into the wind when the wind got up at the end there.
“But I just needed to hole more putts. That was the difference between where I am and being closer to the lead.”