Rory McIlroy’s hopes of defending Pebble Beach title unravel with triple bogey

A wayward drive, a duffed recovery and a poor bunker shot contributed to a horror three-over-par seven on the fourth.

Rory McIlroy hits from the third tee at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Pic: AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

Rory McIlroy tumbled out of contention at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after a triple-bogey nightmare.

The defending champion made a promising start with two birdies on the opening three holes, but unravelled spectacularly on the fourth.

A wayward drive, a duffed recovery and a poor bunker shot contributed to a horror three-over-par seven.

Four more birdies, a bogey on 10 and a double bogey at the last meant McIlroy broke even to lie 10 shots off the lead held by Akshay Bhatia on 19-under.

Shane Lowry enjoyed a more positive outing. The Offaly man carded seven birdies on his way to a five-under-par 67, leaving him tied for 12th on 13-under par.

Collin Morikawa hit the round of the day, a 62 to tie for second with Jake Knapp and Sepp Straka, two shots behind Bhatia.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood is tied for seventh, five shots off the lead.