Rory McIlroy’s week at TPC Sawgrass took an unexpected turn Tuesday.
When practicing for Thursday’s opening round of The Players Championship, a college golfer heckled the four-time major winner from behind the 18th tee box at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., course, with McIlroy later taking matters into his own hands — literally.
As McIlroy’s ball landed in the water, Luke Potter of the University of Texas chirped, “Just like 2011 at Augusta” — a reference to the Northern Irishman’s past Masters meltdown, according to the caption of a now-viral video on X.
Although Potter’s mocking could not be heard in the clip, McIlroy approached him and his Longhorns teammate after he hit the shot.
“Can I see your phone?” McIlroy asked Potter’s teammate, taking the device before walking away.
Potter, a college junior, was “escorted off the property,” according to Golf.com, which also reported the phone was returned.
“He’s got a hole in his heart. He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this fashion,” Potter’s coach, John Fields, told the outlet.
“With regards to our University of Texas program, I mean it’s an embarrassing moment. It is particularly sensitive to me because our program is built on respect for the game, and I would tell you that we coach 18- to 22-year-olds on a normal basis and they don’t always make the right call, and that’s my responsibility as a coach and when they do make a mistake it’s a learning moment.”
The drama followed Potter’s win on Monday at The Hayt Collegiate Tournament at Sawgrass Country Club.
The Players has guidelines for fans attending the tournament, and the code of conduct states “spectators will be subject to expulsion and the loss of ticket privileges” in the matter of “making rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments or gestures,” “verbal or physical harassment of players, volunteers, officials or spectators,” and “distracting a player or any disruption of play,” among other infractions.
Potter has since penned an apology letter to McIlory.
Through 16 holes in Friday’s second round, McIlroy is tied for third at five-under for a total of 10-under.
The Players comes roughly a month before the Masters, a major McIlory has yet to win to complete golf’s grand slam.
He was the 54-hole leader entering the final round of the 2011 Masters but imploded on the back nine.
The Players concludes on Sunday with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler chasing a three-peat.
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