A POLICE investigation is underway after a spectator breached security at the Scottish Open and took items from the bag of golfer Rory McIlroy.
The Holywood-born sportsman was waiting to start his round at the Renaissance Club alongside US Open champion Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas when the incident happened.
Footage on social media showed a man walk on to the tee and firstly take a dog head-cover from McIlroy's bag before he then also grabbed an iron and walked away.
The incident took place in full view of McIlroy, his caddie, Harry Diamond and John Rahm.
Here’s some crazy fan just casually walking up to Rory McIlroy’s bag, taking off a head cover, and walking away with one of his clubs. pic.twitter.com/oOdrXZ4Q3w
— MyBookie - Bet With The Best (@MyBookieBet) July 9, 2021
An onlooker told The Scotsman: "He was standing at the back of the tee and went over to Rory's bag, took out the driver and had a couple of swings with it.
"When someone told him that he couldn’t do that, he replied by saying `Why not?’ At that point, the security people assigned to following the group moved in and took him away."
David Wilson, a member of nearby club Kilspindie, who posted the footage, added: "He was quickly dealt with. The players laughed it off, saying they knew he wasn't a golfer when they saw his grip."
The European Tour later issued a statement in which it said that a spectator had entered the 10th tee area at around 8am.
"He was quickly escorted from the tee by security personnel and the matter is now in the hands of Police Scotland."
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: "Officers were alerted to a man causing a disturbance within the grounds of the Renaissance Club in East Lothian, around 8 am on Friday July 9.
"The 35-year-old man has been taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and enquiries are ongoing," he said.
