McIlroy relieved after ball somehow skims water and stays dry at Travelers 

The Irishman's back-nine revival could have been significantly derailed if not for a stunning stroke of luck on the penultimate hole. 

FRIENDLY FIRE: Keegan Bradley, left, shares a light moment with Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, right, as they start the first round of the Travelers Championship golf tournament at TPC River Highlands, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Cromwell, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

No more skipping pressing conferences, Rory McIlroy was skipping the hazards to keep his Travelers Championship challenge alive on Friday after one of the more remarkable shots of his season. 

The Irishman sits four back from joint leaders Tommy Fleetwood, Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas after a battling second round in Connecticut. But his back-nine revival could have been significantly derailed if not for a stunning stroke of luck on the penultimate hole.