Rory McIlroy disturbed on tee at Scottish Open as man grabs club from his bag

Rory McIlroy on the 10th tee during day two of the abrdn Scottish Open (Jane Barlow/PA)

Rory McIlroy’s second round of the abrdn Scottish Open got off to a bizarre start after a spectator took a club from the four-time major winner’s bag on the 10th tee.

McIlroy was waiting to get his round under way at 8am at the Renaissance Club alongside US Open champion Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas.

Footage on social media showed a man holding McIlroy’s driver and his distinctive dog headcover as the former world number one looked on in apparent bemusement.

The man was eventually escorted off the tee by a security guard after handing the club to McIlroy’s caddie Harry Diamond.

David Wilson, a member of nearby club Kilspindie who posted the footage, added: “He was quickly dealt with. The players laughed it off, saying they knew he wasn’t a golfer when they saw his grip.”

McIlroy said he "was surprised" by the incident. "Everyone saw what happened on TV," he added.

“It was handled efficiently and everything was OK. I had no idea who it was.”

Rahm said it was possible to smell alcohol on the spectator’s breath, adding: “I don’t think any of us understood what was going on.

“He came in so confident and we thought he was going to take a picture or something. We thought he was maybe part of the camera crew or a photographer.

“After a little bit, when he walked back and they were taking him out you could smell the reason why it happened. Me and Rory didn’t say anything. He was holding a six iron and I didn’t want to get hurt.

Asked if the incident had unnerved McIlroy, Rahm added: “I don’t think so. He hit probably one of the best drives of the tournament on that hole.

“It didn’t put anyone off. If anything it put a smile on our faces. It will be a pretty good story to tell in the future.”

A spokesperson for the European Tour said: “At approximately 8am on Friday morning, a spectator entered the 10th tee area.

“He was quickly escorted from the tee by security personnel and the matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson told the PA news agency: “Officers were alerted to a man causing a disturbance within the grounds of the Renaissance Club in East Lothian, around 8am on Friday, July 9.

“The 35-year-old man has been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and enquiries are ongoing.”

It is the first time that fans have been allowed in to watch a British golf event since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with around 4,000 permitted entry per day.