Yesterday we mapped out the frantic and mad rush that Rory McIlroy would have had to have done to make the Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather fight. After a remarkable comeback against Billy Horschel in the group stages of the WGC matchplay event on Friday, McIlroy had potentially two matches on Saturday before a quick jet to the fight that night.
But did he make it?
No, no he didn't. It turns out that McIlroy is quite good at this golf lark. After defeating Hideki Matsuyama with a quick and easy 6&5 victory, he qualified for the quarter final round which meant that he would have very little time to make the fight.
Looking for a similarly easy and quick victory over his opponent Paul Casey would have done nicely for McIlroy. Alas, it wasn't to be, and after lipping out for the win on the 16th hole Casey forced the match into extra holes. Not what you want to happen when you are in a rush.
After 21 holes, the match was halted due to bad light, which some say could have contributed to McIlroy's missed putt earlier on the 16th. But it was too late for McIlroy to make the journey to Vegas.
Kindly, there were screens at the course provided for him to watch:
Not quite the ringside seat @McIlroyRory was looking for!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZykZEPPyxa
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 3, 2015
Thankfully, McIlroy's tickets didn't go to waste, with Lee Westwood doing a great job on twitter of keeping us updated on how he enjoyed himself in McIlroy's absence:
@haza136 & I are on our way to Mayweather/Pacquiao in Vegas. Thanks for the tix @McIlroyRory . Good luck this avo! pic.twitter.com/UMvlHSbbAu
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) May 2, 2015
Westwood even caught the Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke not having as good a time at the fight:
It's all been a bit too much for the skipper! pic.twitter.com/2dSm2hPQ9J
— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) May 3, 2015
