While all the talk after round one should have been about Rory McIlroy’s comeback and Tommy Fleetwood’s scintillating form, the name pursed on everybody’s lips was rising golf star Oscar Murphy.
The 13-year-old Irishman, who moved to the UAE capital three years ago, won a local tournament and as part of his prize, earned the opportunity to tee off alongside his idol McIlroy at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
On Thursday, the Tyrone-born native joined the star-studded group of world No1 Dustin Johnson, Race to Dubai winner Tommy Fleetwood and McIlroy.
In front of a packed 15th hole at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Murphy struck a stunning tee-shot on the 177-yard par-3 – beating Fleetwood and Johnson.
“It was unbelievable,” Oscar said. “I got to walk up to the green with them and I was closer than Dustin Johnson and Tommy Fleetwood but Rory beat me to it.”
Speaking after his opening round 69, former World No1 McIlroy said he was surprised to see Oscar inside the ropes having previously met the youngster at the tournament in the capital.
He said: “He’s been following me since the 2011 PGA Championship in Atlanta and he’s at every round I play here, I feel like he’s my little mascot. He’s waiting at the back of every green and every tee box.
“Was a little surprised to see him on the tee there. I didn’t expect him to be inside the ropes today but he hit a really great shot, a really good little swing, one for the future.”
