Rory McIlroy leaves spectator dazed after errant drive in 1st round at British Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England – Rory McIlroy’s errant drive struck a teenage spectator on the head in the first round at the British Open on Thursday, leading to the Northern Irishman making double-bogey to drop off the leaderboard.

McIlroy’s tee shot at No. 15 went way left, hitting 16-year-old Jason Blue of Bristol, England, and leaving him dazed on the ground. After his head was bandaged, Blue received a signed glove from the world’s second-ranked player.

The ball ended up out of bounds next to a portable trailer, and McIlroy had to take a one-stroke penalty and tee off again. He made a 6 to slip to 1-under, five shots behind leader Adam Scott.