LYTHAM ST. ANNES, ENGLAND (AP) - Rory McIlroy recovered after flattening a teenage spectator with an errant tee shot to finish at 3-under 67, just three shots off the lead after the first round of the British Open.
McIlroy’s drive on the 15th went right, hitting a 16-year-old Jason Blue of Bristol, England, on the back of the head and leaving him dazed on the ground in a pool of blood. After his head was bandaged, Blue received a signed glove from the player.
The ball ended up out of bounds next to a burger stand. McIlroy returned to the tee and made double bogey.
The second-ranked Northern Irishman rallied with birdies at Nos. 16 and 18.
McIlroy says he thought he did well to “keep my composure and keep my concentration.”
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