McIlroy could not reproduce his Saturday magic to catch Scottie Scheffler, but he still achieved a level of redemption at his home Open

If McIlroy didn’t quite deliver, then Royal Portrush — where he shot 61 as a 16-year-old for the course record — certainly did, gaining widespread rave reviews.

Rory McIlroy hung around to savor the moment, soaking in the adulation that rained down on him on Royal Portrush’s 18th green.

With one swish of his wedge, McIlroy not only hit his designated ball out of the rough to the right of the fairway on the 11th hole but also dug out another ball that had been buried underneath the turf, unbeknownst to him.

Rory McIlroy hit a ball out of the rough, and as he swung into the ground he somehow unearthed another golf ball during the third round at The Open.

Rory McIlroy pulled off an unexpected and accidental trick during a shot from the rough on the 11th hole at the Open Championship on Saturday.