Rory McIlroy says volunteer stepped on his ball while searching

Rory McIlroy made eight shots behind winner Patrick Reed at Torrey Pines

Rory McIlroy says his boxed-in ball at last week's PGA Tour event was the result of a volunteer stepping on it during a search but not telling him.

The Northern Irishman took a free fall after thinking his ball was embedded in the ground. after he hit a shot.

The incident took place during Saturday's third round, but the volunteer didn't notify the PGA Tour until Monday.

"The volunteer said something like" I'm so sorry that Rory got caught up in this scenario, "added McIlroy.

Heavy rain had softened the ground at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and McIlroy & # 39; s second shot to the 18th plunged into a deep rough.

A televised replay, broadcast on Sunday for comparison with a similar shot played on the 10th hole on Saturday by Patrick Reed, showed that McIlroy's ball, just like that of the American, had previously bounced back to rest.

Both players took a free drop for an embedded ball. The PGA Tour confirmed that both players continued "as the rule permits."

"The video came out on Sunday when my ball bounced and then went in," McIlroy said at Wednesday's press conference earlier this week's PGA Tour event in Phoenix.

"At the time I thought it must have gone into its own pitchmark because the ball was clearly blocked, but then it came to light on Monday that a volunteer had stepped on it and had didn't tell me and that's why the ball was embedded.

"That's why I took the enclosed ball relief. It was an embedded ball, but I didn't know it had been stepped on.

McIlroy told his playing partner he was taking a trapped ball off and did not call a rules officer, which is in accordance with the rules of golf. ] However, he said, “I went to bed on a Sunday night and wondered if I had done the right thing after watching the video. Did I do the right thing? Did I follow the rules? Did I see something that wasn't there?

"It was a bit of a tough Sunday night. I just started doubting myself a little bit, which doesn't look like me, but I was convinced it was a boxed-in ball.

"Then it's so weird that the tour got an email Monday from a volunteer saying he didn't tell me then and should have.

"I should have taken relief for a kicked ball, which means you could place it instead of dropping it.

At least I felt better about my actions knowing I was doing the right thing. It's nice that that came to light because I was questioning myself a little bit on Sunday. "