Rory McIlroy provided one young fan with a moment he’ll never forget at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Rory McIlroy showed what kind of person he is at Pebble Beach(Image: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy showed the type of character he is by giving a fan a moment to remember for life at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The Northern Irishman arrived at the event to defend his 2025 title.
As the world No. 2 departed the 13th hole at Spyglass Hill Golf Course during his first round, he approached a narrow pathway where spectators stood very close to him. The player was separated from the crowd by just three feet, with a wire barrier the only thing keeping them at bay.
Golf fans had their arms stretched out toward the star with their mobile phones raised, desperately hoping to catch his eye after he made par.
A young PGA Tour supporter positioned himself right against the boundary with his phone ready. McIlroy spotted him and casually tossed a golf ball in his direction.
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The youngster caught it cleanly mid-air, and the Grand Slam champion glanced back before heading towards the 14th hole.
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The fan stood motionless, gobsmacked, before instantly filming himself as his mate beside him erupted with excitement. He bounced up and down, yelled his thanks towards McIlroy, then released a prolonged “oooh” as action continued.
McIlroy’s kind act occurred during the event that also marked his PGA Tour season opener. Even whilst competing abroad, the Northern Irishman has remained vocal in the continuing PGA Tour-LIV Golf saga.
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The world No. 2 is the defending champion after winning here in 2025 by two strokes over Shane Lowry, closing with a 6-under 66 to finish at 21-under 267.
Pebble Beach had been battered by storms just weeks prior to the tournament. These weather conditions threatened the PGA Tour event, with the course looking completely unrecognisable.
By tournament week, Pebble Beach was back to prime condition. However, the wind still flows across exposed greens and fairways.
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McIlroy opened at Spyglass Hill with a four-under 68 and sits tied for 17th after Round 2. Four other players share the position, including Russell Henley and Tommy Fleetwood.
McIlroy carded six birdies with three on the front nine and three on the back, including a 157-yard approach to four feet on No. 4 and a 120-yard shot to 14 feet on No.2. He sank a four-footer on 17 and eagled on 14.
However, he also made two double bogeys on Nos. 3 and 6 which saw him drop down the leaderboard.
Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune leads at 15-under alongside fellow countryman Akshay Bhatia, who is on the same score.
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