Sky Sports analyst Paul McGinley has been criticised by viewers after suggesting Rory McIlroy's collapse at the Masters on Thursday.
The Northern Irishman is hoping to win the prestigious tournament for the first time, while he's also chasing a first major since 2014.
McIlroy started well in round one, finding himself four-under par after 15 holes.
However, the Briton then proceeded to struggle - with two bogeys meaning he's tied in 27th ahead of today's action.
Sky Sports analyst Paul McGinley has been criticised by viewers after suggesting Rory McIlroy's collapse at the Masters on Thursday
REUTERS
McGinley, speaking after McIlroy's shock collapse, suggested that it was down to the golfer being 'distracted' by playing partner Akshay Bhatia.
"I think he got distracted,” McGinley said on Sky Sports.
“It took him a long time to play that pitch shot.
"His playing partner Akshay Bhatia put his second in the water. He took ages to play his shot - he took about 10 practice swings.
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"So A it took a long time. Then B his ball landed in Rory's line so he had to wait for him to walk around the lake to mark his ball.
"Then he had to wait for the players to walk off the 16th tee. So he ended up waiting five minutes to play his shot.
"He is such a quick player - he wants to get on with it. He got distracted. I don't blame Bhatia or the players walking off 16.
"For a player who likes to play quickly, it was a drop in concentration.
The Masters simply requires shots that have the smallest margin for error.
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) April 10, 2025
Imagine a guy as good as Rory McIlroy chipping into the water. Yet he wasn’t even the first to do it today.
Doubles bogey. Masters champs just can’t do this. pic.twitter.com/Bs24UjkdMF
"And that is what great champions don't do. And I am sure that the 17th was a legacy of it."
Several viewers feel it's unfair of McGinley to blame Bhatia, however, with the Sky man sparking controversy as a result.
One user said: "That segment from Sky and McGinley blaming Bhatia for Rory making double on 15 is pathetic."
A second fumed: "Sky Sports blaming Akshay Bhatia for McIlroy falling to pieces in the Masters again."
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A third branded McGinley an 'idiot' by saying: "Akshay Bhatia recovered well, but according to Paul McGinlay, his actions on the 15th, are responsible for Rory losing concentration and blowing up. What an idiot."
And another hit out by saying: "McGinley and the @SkySportsGolf crew trying to justify why their golden boy messed up on 15 has to be one of the most tedious one sided piece of broadcasting I’ve ever seen!!! EMBARRASSING!!!"
McIlroy will be hoping to bounce back on Friday.
The 35-year-old has been consistent in 2025 so far but needs to up the ante to ensure he makes the cut for the weekend.
Rory McIlroy is bidding to win the Masters for the first time
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McIlroy didn't conduct any media interviews after his woes at Augusta.
He did, however, say before the tournament that he wasn't paying attention to any outside pressure as he seeks the first Green Jacket of his career.
"It's just narratives. It's noise," he said. "It's just trying to block out that noise as much as possible.
"I need to treat this tournament like all the other tournaments that I play throughout the year."
