The Loop

The giant octopus on the fifth hole wants Rory McIlroy to win the British Open

HOYLAKE, England -- Earlier in the week, the British bookmaker BetFair tried to convince people to gamble more by placing a giant octopus on the fifth hole at Royal Liverpool. Why an octopus? Because of the Beatles' song "Octopus's Garden", of course.

And the giant octopus seems to have its favorites. It held up a sign earlier in the week that took a swipe at Ian Poulter's and Rickie Fowler's pants and a stamp of approval to Billy Horschel, who donned octopus pants at the 2013 U.S. Open. On Friday, the octopus again made its allegiances known, offering Rory some words of encouragement for his second round.

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