Rory McIlroy: Northern Irishman cleared of any wrongdoing after his Reed-like fall while fading in the US
Rory McIlroy stayed at the start of his last round to Torrey Pines, but fell on the back nine
Rory McIlroy was entitled to a similar free drop as Patrick Reed at the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday, says the PGA Tour.
The eventual winner Reed became embroiled in controversy as he moved his ball, which he believed was embedded, before hiring a rules officer.
McIlroy, number seven in the world, took a similar free drop on the 18th without consulting the rules.
The PGA Tour confirmed that both players continued "as the rule permits."
McIlroy's closing one-over-par 73 left him six under, eight behind Reed, who won 14 under par.
& # 39; McIlroy did the same & # 39; – Reed
After Saturday's action, Reed said in a Twitter exchange that McIlroy & # 39; did the same thing today on hole 18 and didn't & # 39; I'm not even mentioning a control official about it. ”
The Northern Irishman's second shot on the 18th on Saturday ended roughly and the four-time great champion informed his partner Rory Sabbatini that he had an embedded ball and would take relief.
On TV reruns, McIlroy & # 39; s ball bounced before coming to a stop, similar to the Reed incident, and he took free relief without a Official – as per the rules.
A statement from the PGA Tour said McIlroy was in "much the same situation" on the 10th hole during his third round.
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"It was reasonable for both players, based on the fact that they did not see the ball land, but given the location of the ball in soft court conditions – that they proceed as normal as possible. embedded ball, ”the statement added g.
"They marked, lifted, and assessed the situation to determine if the ball was embedded. Patrick took it a step further and called in a rules officer to make sure his assessment would not be questioned (although this step is not required). "
a five-shot victory in California
After his Last lap, McIlroy, who had not been told in advance that the PGA Tour would issue a statement on the matter, said he "was never tired of getting away with all there is".
"Our game is about integrity and it's about doing the right thing. I always try to do the right thing and hopefully people see that. I feel like I have a reputation for that, "he said.
" [It} was one of those things that I guess Patrick [Reed] and I both went on the information we had and made those findings.
"I think people can jump to conclusions, but at the same time we had ample right to do what we did."
The incident overshadowed another disappointing performance on the last day of the former world number one.
He started the day just three behind overnight leaders Reed and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico.
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Birdies on the sixth and eighth kept him on the edge of the fight, but a bogey on the 10th stopped his progress and another shot went on the par-5 13th before a birdie on 14 was followed by a double bogey on the next.
