United Airlines loses Rory McIlroy’s golf clubs

As Rory McIlroy gets set to play in the Irish Open this week, an important element of his golf game is clearly lacking.

His clubs.

On Tuesday morning, the golfer from Northern Ireland tweeted about a less-than-favorable experience with United Airlines on his return flight home from playing in the U.S. Open: Hey @united landed in Dublin yesterday morning from Newark and still no golf clubs... Sort of need them this week... Can someone help!?”

United quickly responded on Twitter, writing: “We understand how important your clubs are to you.”

And retired LPGA golfer Annika Sorenstam offered to help McIlroy, tweeting: “I don’t need mine this week.”

However, 20 minutes after United’s first tweet came a second message with news that airline workers had found the clubs and would deliver them to the tournament site at Fota Island Resort on Wednesday.

If nothing else, the episode might come as a surprise to fans who thought big-time golfers always flew in private jets, immune to the tribulations of air travel.