Rory McIlroy’s push for the Australian Open title hit an unexpected snag on Saturday, courtesy of a banana peel.
The world number two slipped nine shots off the lead as Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen continued his impressive campaign at Royal Melbourne, maintaining a two-stroke cushion over a talent-packed leaderboard.
Playing before enthusiastic fans braving intermittent showers, the Northern Irishman began his third round steadily with a par.
But the trouble emerged at the par-four second hole when a wayward drive left his ball tangled in a patch of long grass and resting beneath a discarded banana skin.
Unable to move the peel without risking a penalty, McIlroy was forced into a defensive hack that trickled only 10 metres forward, eventually resulting in a double-bogey.
“It was sort of a double whammy,” he said. “It was in that little tuft of long grass, and then the banana skin over it.
“I shouldn’t have been there in the first place, was a terrible tee shot. It wasn’t the best way to start, but I felt like I played well after that.”
He bounced back fiercely with six birdies and a lone bogey to sign for a 68, though even that flourish may not be enough for another Australian Open crown.
“Probably going to be a little too far behind to try to challenge tomorrow,” he added. “But I’ll try to end the week on a positive note, and go out there and shoot my my lowest score of the week.”
Meanwhile, Neergaard-Petersen strengthened his bid for a maiden European Tour triumph.
The Dane carded seven birdies in a composed 66 to reach 14-under overall.
Chasing him are major winner Cameron Smith (66), South Korea’s Kim Si-woo (65) and LIV golfer Carlos Ortiz (66), all two strokes back.
Smith briefly took sole leadership thanks to a brilliant chip-in eagle on 14, before a closing bogey spoiled his finish.
Still, it marked a welcome turnaround for the Australian, who has endured a frustrating season of missed cuts,including all four majors.
“I just feel like I didn’t have my best stuff out there today,” Smith admitted. “I definitely didn’t feel as comfortable over the ball, but just went through the process and hit the right shots and didn’t really shy away from that.
“I don’t think anything has to change, really,” he continued. “I’ll probably go hit a few balls now, just clean up some stuff.”
Spain’s Jose Luis Ballester sits another shot back, with Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee, and New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier lurking just behind, ready for a final-round charge.
