Rory McIlroy finds woman’s lap with tee shot and delights crowd with priceless reaction

Rory McIlroy almost took 'play the ball as it lies' to new extremes at the DP World Tour Championship.

The world no.2 has little to play for at the season-ending event, having already been crowned Race to Dubai champion.

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And that carefree attitude perhaps resulted in some wayward shots at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

One in particular, at the par-three 13th, was so far right it landed in a spectator's lap.

The woman in question was shrewd enough to stay perfectly still until McIlroy reached his ball to ensure the integrity of the game was upheld.

Under rule 11.1, the Northern Irishman was entitled to collect the ball and take a free drop no closer to the hole.

But McIlroy delighted the crowd by pretending to line up his next shot off the fan's lap.

In fan footage posted on X, those in attendance can be heard laughing while the superstar golfer jokes with the unsuspecting patron.

McIlroy was unable to get up-and-down to save par, leaving a ten-footer after an awkward chip shot (in more ways than one).

It was an eventful round for the Ryder Cup hero, who luckily managed to find a bridge overhanging a hazard at the 18th hole.

Nevertheless, McIlroy finished four shots back of the clubhouse lead on one-under par after five birdies and four bogeys.

Reacting to his round, the 34-year-old said: "A little rusty. Got off to a nice start, and then hit a couple of loose shots on the back nine and felt like I was scrambling pretty much the whole way there.

"Overall, still only four back. It was a tricky day. I think the wind was up in the morning. It settled down a little bit for our front nine and got up again for our back nine.

"I can certainly do better, I know that but it was nice to get one round out of the way and hopefully something to build on."