It was a day to remember for 13 year old Oscar Murphy as he beat World Number One Dustin Johnson in the Beat the Pro challenge during the opening round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.
The teenager's big moment came at the 177 yard par three 15th, but rather than being overawed by teeing off in a marquee group containing Johnson, Race to Dubai champion Tommy Fleetwood and his idol Rory McIlroy, Murphy hit a sweetly-struck effort to the back of the green.
By finishing around 25 feet from the pin, the six-handicapper was closer than both US Ryder Cup star Johnson and England's Fleetwood, with only McIlroy finishing nearer the flag stick.
“The pin was tucked on the right and he hit this three wood, just faded in to the pin,” said Fleetwood.
“An unbelievable shot and me and Rory both said 'we don't have that in our locker'.”
“I was playing middle of the green because I couldn't get to it so very, very impressive.
McIlroy added: “Oscar lives here. He's from Northern Ireland so he's been following me since the 2011 PGA Championship in Atlanta.
“Every round I play here I feel like he's my little mascot. I wasn't expecting to see him on the tee there – I was a little bit surprised to see him inside the ropes but he hit a great shot.”
