Bairstow endured a rocky moment on the 14th hole of the opening round, as his tee shot failed to find the fairway and settled in heavy rough on an embankment. While preparing for his second shot, the ball rolled lower into the rough. Bairstow stepped away from the ball to confer with his caddie, then returned to address the ball and play what would count as his second shot. A third shot followed, landing within 12 feet of the pin, before he two-putted for a bogey-five.
The sequence highlights how quickly a single wayward drive can complicate a hole, even for players with solid all-round games. Bairstow’s able recovery—getting back to within a manageable distance and finishing with a two-putt—helps limit damage on the scorecard, though the bogey on the par-4 14th adds a blemish in what may otherwise be a steady start to the round.
What this implies for the round going forward is straightforward: Bairstow will likely regroup on the next holes, aiming to convert birdie opportunities and minimize any further slips. In the broader context of the round, this moment serves as a reminder of how rough terrain and awkward lies can disrupt rhythm, underscoring the importance of staying calm and focused under pressure.
Summary: A mis-hit tee shot put Bairstow into heavy rough on the 14th, a careful recovery followed by a bogey-5, with the round continuing on to the later holes. Positive note: the recovery shows resilience and an ability to bounce back from trouble.