Sky Sports analyst slammed for 'pathetic' theory why Rory McIlroy collapsed in Masters first round

A Sky Sports analyst has been slammed after putting forward a theory about why Rory McIlroy struggled in the first round of The Masters.

McIlroy, 35, started well but made two late errors which left him seven shots behind leader Justin Rose after The Masters first day at Augusta National.

The 35-year-old started well in round one and found himself four-under par 15 holes into Thursday’s action.

However, McIlroy finished the round poorly, with two double bogeys meaning he is tied in 27th spot.

The Northern Irishman has not won a major since 2014 and will be keen to capture his first-ever Masters title.

And Sky Sports analyst Paul McGinley gave his thoughts as to why McIlroy performed so poorly – although not everyone agrees.

McIlroy had to wait for playing partner Akshay Bhatia on the 15^th hole after the American shot into the water - something McGinley thinks impacted his performance.

"I think he got distracted,” McGinley said on Sky Sports.

Rory McIlroy struggled during the first round of The Masters (Credit:Getty)

“It took him a long time to play that pitch shot.

"His playing partner Akshay Bhatia put his second in the water. He took ages to play his shot - he took about 10 practice swings.

"So A it took a long time. Then B his ball landed in Rory's line so he had to wait for him to walk around the lake to mark his ball.

"Then he had to wait for the players to walk off the 16th tee. So he ended up waiting five minutes to play his shot.

"He is such a quick player - he wants to get on with it. He got distracted. I don't blame Bhatia or the players walking off 16.

"For a player who likes to play quickly, it was a drop in concentration. And that is what great champions don't do. And I am sure that the 17th was a legacy of it."

However, several fans on social media slammed McGinley’s theory.

One said: "That segment from Sky and McGinley blaming Bhatia for Rory making double on 15 is pathetic."

Another added: "Sky Sports blaming Akshay Bhatia for McIlroy falling to pieces in the Masters again."

While a third explained: "Akshay Bhatia recovered well, but according to Paul McGinlay, his actions on the 15th, are responsible for Rory losing concentration and blowing up. What an idiot."