Name: The lucky charm behind Rory McIlroy's Masters win...Northern Ireland socks!
Uploaded: 2025-12-06T13:23:52.000Z
Duration: 10 s

Rory McIlroy’s third round in Melbourne featured an unusual experience as the Northern Ireland great had to deal with a banana peel in the long grass during his bid to climb the Australian Open leaderboard.

The Masters champion sits nine shots behind leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen following a 68 for five-under par overall before the closing round on his first return to Australia since 2015.

Sitting joint 24th, McIlroy’s round featured one bizarre challenge when on the second shot of the par-four second hole his ball landed in some long grass under a banana peel.

McIlroy’s bid to hit his ball through the banana peel back on to the fairway resulted in a gain of 30 feet towards his double-bogey six.

Players can move loose impediments as long as the ball does not move in the process, otherwise any shift would incur a penalty.

"It was sort of a double whammy...it was in the tough grass and under a banana skin," McIlroy said, as reported by Sky Sports. "But I shouldn't have been there in the first place."

He closed out the front nine with one-over 35 before four birdies after the turn, with the back stretch played often in a steady drizzle.

"I didn't get off to a great start, but I played well from there," said McIlroy. "I am probably going to be too far behind to challenge tomorrow.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy plays a shot through a stray banana peel from the long grass of the second hole during his Australian Open third round at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

"But I'd love the course to keep getting firmer and firmer...and if it does I think I could go out there and shoot something very low, eight or nine under."

McIlroy – who won the event in 2013 – will tee off on Saturday night at 11.12pm (UK time).

Neergaard-Petersen holds a two-shot lead over a group of three before the final round.

“I felt like I stayed true to my plan all week, which has been to stay patient,” he said, following his round of 66. “I've been able to finish well here over the last couple of events, even in rounds, so it's nice to finish off well today.

"It's been good just kind of getting used to the conditions, playing firm and fast golf courses.”