Rory McIlroy Putts Into Bunker, Shoots 79 in Opening Round of British Open (GIF)

Suffice to say, this was not the start that Rory McIlroy wanted.

The 24-year-old Northern Irishman shot a 79 in his opening round of the British Open on Thursday, putting the weekend in serious doubt. But there was one moment, in particular, that stands out on an embarrassing day.

On the 15th hole at Muirfield, a 448-yard par-4, McIlroy decided to putt his ball from the fringe, as is extremely common in traditional links golf. However, McIlroy clearly put a bit too much behind the ball, putting it straight into a bunker — just about a yard short of a steep lip — behind the green.

Check out McIlroy’s embarrassing moment in the GIF below.

GIF via SB Nation