McIlroy Stymied by Banana Peel at Australian Open

Rory McIlroy is trailing Australian Open leader Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen by nine shots heading into the final day at Royal Melbourne. McIlroy, the 2013 champion, sits in joint 24th place, five-under par after the third round. He was hoping to build on a strong finish to his second round but a peculiar double-bogey on the second hole, involving a banana skin, disrupted his momentum.

The Northern Irish golfer made four birdies on the back nine but so did the leader, Neergaard-Petersen, who now holds a two-shot lead at 14-under. McIlroy expressed frustration over the incident, noting that the ball was in difficult rough and under the discarded peel. He acknowledged a slow start but felt he played well afterward.

McIlroy admitted that he is likely too far behind the leader to contend for victory on the final day. Meanwhile, Scotland's Cameron Adam and David Young are positioned in joint 29th place, both at four-under par in their second professional tournament.