Hole in one as Rory McIlroy golf strike hits boy on head

Jason Blue, aged 16, from Bristol with a bandaged head after a stray ball from Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy hit him on the head. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire/Press Association Images

A 16-year-old boy was hit on the head by an errant drive from the world's number two golfer, Rory McIlroy, at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Jason Blue, from Bristol, was taken to a first aid point just behind the 15th fairway, where he was standing when he was hit - after the Northern Irish star had come over to apologise and given him an autographed glove.

He was then moved to the main medical HQ at the course where he was seen by a doctor.

Jason was allowed to leave and sent home in a courtesy car after about 45 minutes, having been given something to eat and drink.

He had a bruise on his head but no stitches and left the course without a bandage or dressing.

The incident cost McIlroy a double bogey on the 15th after his drive struck Jason, went 20 yards right and finished out of bounds by a few inches.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy looks concerned after hitting the drive. Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire/Press Association Images

He continued: "They have tickets for the weekend so they are coming up tomorrow.

"The doctor has told me to take it easy for the next few days so we'll just go back and relax tonight.

"I still want Rory to do well and I'll probably go out and watch him tomorrow."

Ross Furnival, 17, was standing next to his friend at the time and feared the worst.

"There was blood coming out of his head. I thought he was dead," he said.

McIlroy said: "I hit it slightly right and got an unfortunate break. It went 20 yards right off his head. He could have headed it the other way!

"The most important thing was that he was okay."