3-time major winner Rory McIlroy shanked a shot at the Masters so bad he hit his dad with the ball

• Rory McIlroy struggled through the first round at the 2021 Masters.
• At the par 4 No. 7, McIlroy shanked his attempt to escape the rough and hit a patron with his ball.
• The patron McIlroy hit turned out to be his father.

Rory McIlroy had a tough opening round at the Masters on Thursday.

The three-time major winner bogeyed three straight holes on the front nine and finished his round four strokes over par.

But McIlroy's round really turned upside-down at the par-4 No. 7. After a wayward drive found the second cut on the left side of the fairway, McIlroy attempted to escape with a shot at the green to possibly save par.

The shot was a shank and flew well to the right of the green where some patrons were watching the tournament. McIlroy called out, "Fore right!" to warn those watching that his ball was heading their way. But it was too late, as his ball struck a patron in the leg.

That patron? McIlroy's own father.

McIlroy knew what he had done immediately, confirming with his caddie that yes, his ball had just hit his own father.

Thankfully, the senior McIlroy was fine, brushing off the injury with a laugh.

"I should ask for an autographed glove," McIlroy's father joked after the moment, according to Kyle Porter of CBS Sports who was also watching at the seventh hole.

Hopefully, McIlroy's second round is a bit less eventful, but given how difficult Augusta National has played through the first day of the tournament, there's no guarantees that will be the case.