McIlroy hopes snapped by photographer

Rory McIlroy blamed a photographer for missing out on his lowest ever European Tour round – and possibly even going top of the Order of Merit – in Switzerland today.

The 20-year-old needed a closing birdie for a nine-under-par 62 on the last day of the Omega European Masters and was up into a tie for third after starting the day 34th.

“He was annoying me before I hit the shot and then he clicked a bit early,” said McIlroy after pushing his three-wood and bogeying for a 64.

The Northern Irishman does not have happy memories of the 18th hole at Crans-Montana.

He also dropped a shot there to fall into a play-off last year and then missed an 18-inch putt on the same green when he and Frenchman Jean-Francois Lucquin went into sudden death.

It is the second time this season that a Tour star has cursed a cameraman.

Ian Poulter went into a lake at the French Open in July when he was trying to catch the leaders.

“It’s been happening all week,” added McIlroy. “When you come to places like this some of the photographers don’t know golf.

“I thought if I could get another birdie I might have half a chance of winning. But it wasn’t to be.”

He needed victory to move from third to first on the “Race to Dubai” standings.

After opening with a 10-foot eagle putt he added seven birdies, but there were also three bogeys on his card.

“I holed a lot more putts, but I’ve probably walked off a bit disappointed.”