Cameron Smith couldn't help but chuckle at a journalist's question that slagged off Rory McIlroy before then sidestepping answering it.
The 29-year-old was speaking at a media event alongside Phil Mickelson and Matt Wolff ahead of the latest LIV Golf event in Chicago.
The mundane scene took a bizarre turn when a journalist from 'Drunk By The Turn' posed the following question:
Reporter: "I just wanted to reflect on you being the 150th winner of the Open, and I know you had spoken about how many beers you could fit in the Claret Jug, I think it was two. I was just wondering how many of Rory McIlroy's tears were you able to fit in it after you won?"
READ MORE: Dustin Johnson already has insane earnings after just four starts in rebel LIV Golf
Smith smirked at the question before opting to be diplomatic about it by wisely saying 'I'm not answering that.'
McIlroy had looked set to finally end his eight-year major drought at St Andrews when co-leader heading into Sunday Viktor Hovland fell away from almost the very first hole.
But while the Northern Irishman, the most vocal critic of the Saudi-backed breakaway series, played mistake-free golf, he didn't come up with any moments of magic either and wound up shooting -2 for the day.
This allowed Smith to reel him in and ultimately surpass him having gone round in 64 (-8) having caught fire around the back nine.
The reporter in question here, had previously shared a video yesterday in which he showed Smith and Pat Perez chuckling after looking at a meme he'd created.
It was a photo of the Aussie looking off into the distance with the caption 'Is that Rory over there bitching about something again?'
While McIlroy did fail to get that long-awaited fifth major in 2022, he has enjoyed a remarkably consistent year as he has seemingly ironed out the fluctuations in his game that dogged him for so long.
The latest example has come over this weekend as he trails leader Matt Fitzpatrick by just one shot going into the final round at the Italian Open.
Having led going into the day's play at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, he mixed three birdies with three bogeys in his 71, which he finished with a five-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
McIlroy, who like Englishman Fitzpatrick will be hoping to represent Europe when the Ryder Cup is hosted at this venue next year, knows he faces a tough task on Sunday.
He said: “I think national opens are pretty important things in our game. I’ve been quite fortunate that I’ve won a few of them.
“This would be another great one to add to the list. So big incentive tomorrow to go out and play well.
“I know it will be a tough day. Fitzpatrick is very solid. These are the sort of conditions that he relishes. He’s going to be tough to beat.”
READ NEXT:
Tallaght Stadium defaced with loyalist graffiti in response to Queen chant by fans
Cardiff v Munster result and recap as The Reds start URC season on bitterly disappointing note
Stunning Irish stud farm, owned by late deputy ruler of Dubai, goes on the market
Nathan Collins sent off for awful challenge on Jack Grealish
Irish amateur Matthew McClean books Masters and US Open spot after beating compatriot Hugh Foley
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
