Freak incident: Rory McIlroy makes birdie as head flies off iron in R1 at BMW PGA

The head of Rory McIlroy's 8-iron flew off down the par-5 12th in the first round of the BMW PGA at Wentworth, but the World No.3 still went on to make a birdie.

Rory McIlroy was shocked by what happened on 12
Rory McIlroy was shocked by what happened on 12

In what will likely go down as one of the freakiest moments in Rory McIlroy's golf career, the head of his 8-iron flew off down the fairway as he played his second shot into the par-5 12th in the first round of the BMW PGA at Wentworth.

McIlroy, 35, was left in a state of shock alongside his caddie Harry Diamond as the head of his 8-iron from 178 yards out sailed down the fairway while his ball drew into the flag. 

Despite this wild incident, McIlroy hit a fantastic shot that spun to the left and down to seven feet beyond the pin.

McIlroy would unfortunately miss the putt on the high side but it led to a tap-in birdie that moved the Ulsterman into a share of the lead at the time. 

He would go on open with a 5-under 67.

After making birdie on 12, McIlroy handed his 8-iron over to a TaylorMade rep who went back to replace it. 

Scroll below to watch what happened...

The four-time major champion so far this week looks like a man on a mission having thrown away the Irish Open at his hometown links of Royal County Down last Sunday. 

McIlroy is a former winner of the BMW PGA having won at Wentworth in 2014.

The BMW PGA is rightly considered by many as the flagship event of the DP World Tour season.

McIlroy is currently running away with things in the DP World Tour Rankings as he goes in search of emulating late great Seve Ballesteros' haul of six Harry Vardon trophies. 

VIEW LIVE BMW PGA SCORES HERE

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