Here’s a full breakdown of what happened with Rory McIlroy saying that copying Seve Ballesteros “completely backfired” at the 2025 Australian Open — what he did, what went wrong, and how he recovered.
🎯 What McIlroy tried to do — why “copying Seve”
McIlroy admitted that on the 14th hole of Round 2 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, he attempted a low-trajectory swing “like Seve used to” — trying to “get in really low … flick it back into play.”
This was not some everyday shot: McIlroy found himself in an awkward lie under trees (after hitting the tee shot into a bush), and decided to attempt a tricky “escape” style shot rather than take a safer option.
So, his idea was to channel Ballesteros’ famed creativity and flair when out of trouble — but under pressure on a difficult course and with tricky foliage.
💥 What went wrong — “completely backfired”
The swing didn’t go as intended: McIlroy’s club caught a branch on the backswing, causing him to completely miss the ball — a “fresh air” shot.
He described it bluntly: “That was not one of my finer moments on 14. I can’t remember the last time I had a fresh air shot.”
The result was a bogey on a par-5 — a costly dropped shot, and a rare error from someone of his class.
The moment was so uncharacteristic that it made headlines around the world as a “horror fresh air shot.”
In short: trying to emulate Ballesteros under those conditions backfired — literally, he swung right over the ball.
🔄 How McIlroy responded — recovery and composure
Despite the mishit and bogey, McIlroy didn’t implode. He birdied holes 15, 17, and 18 to finish the round strongly with a 3-under 68, which put him at 2-under overall and safely inside the cut.
He admitted the 14th hole was a shaky moment, but said he was proud of how he “bounced back” over the final holes instead of losing his composure.
The “drive on 15” he hit after the whiff was especially critical — it set up a birdie that kept him in contention for the weekend.
So, while the attempt to channel Ballesteros failed dramatically, McIlroy showed his experience and resilience by recovering quickly under pressure.
🧠 What McIlroy said about it — reflections & context
He called the 14th hole “not one of my finer moments,” acknowledging the swing was a mistake.
McIlroy explained that part of the problem was trying a risky “flick it back into play” type of shot under pressure — a style associated with Ballesteros — but at that moment, it simply didn’t work.
Despite the error, he remained focused on the tournament’s bigger picture: finishing strong, making the cut, and still having a shot at contending.
It seems McIlroy views the misstep as a lesson — not a defining moment, but a reminder that even superstars are vulnerable when pushing the boundaries.
📌 Bigger takeaways — what this shows about golf and McIlroy
The incident highlights how even world-class golfers sometimes attempt creative “rescue” shots — but those often come with high risk. Even for a champion like McIlroy, “doing what Seve did” carries consequences.
It shows the fundamental value of resilience and mental strength. McIlroy could have let the mistake rattle him. Instead, he rebounded quickly — a reminder that recovery is as much a part of elite performance as spectacular shots.
Finally, it reflects how modern golf remains unpredictable. On a challenging course like Royal Melbourne under tough conditions, even the best-laid plans (or inspirations) can misfire — and adaptability becomes key.