Watch the shocking moment golfer kills a BIRD with her ball at US Women's Open - before an official is forced to pick its lifeless body off the green!

This is the moment an unlucky golfer killed a bird with her tee shot at the US Women's Open on Thursday.

The par-three 12th hole at Lancaster Country Club hit the headlines for a number of reasons on day one of the competition, firstly when star Nelly Korda recorded a 10 after going in the water three times.

It was just as chaotic for Isi Gabsa the same morning, despite her tee shot hitting the green at the first time of asking.

Unfortunately for the German golfer, the green wasn't all she hit - as the ball struck a stray bird on its way down to the target.

Although we have not had confirmation of the bird's death, there was little movement after the ball hit it at speed - and an official was forced to pick up its lifeless body a few moments later. 

Gabsa managed to get out of the 12th hole with a par a few moments later, missing her birdie (no pun intended) putt but then sinking her third shot.

The unlucky moment left fans reminiscing on another time a professional sports star endured a similar moment, back in 2001.

The infamous moment occurred when baseball star Randy Johnson threw a pitch during a spring training game for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The ball was three-quarters of the way to the Giants' Calvin Murray when it struck a flying bird at full pelt, bringing both ball and bird crashing to the ground.

Giants second baseman Jeff Kent picked up the remains of the dove and jokingly pointed it towards Johnson on the mound, before disposing of the body.

After the game, Johnson responded to questions by noting: 'I didn't think it was all that funny.'