Miami (AFP) – Rory McIlroy kept quiet on Thursday about a practice-round incident at The Players Championship in which he took a heckler’s phone, a critic who later apologized to the four-time major champion. University of Texas junior Luke Potter was attending Tuesday’s practice round at TPC Sawgrass a day after winning his first college title at the John Hayt Invitational across the street at Sawgrass Country Club, according to Golf.com.
Potter was behind and to the left of the 18th green when McIlroy hit a tee shot into the water and then, according to Golf Channel and Golf.com, Potter yelled a remark about the 2011 Masters. McIlroy’s epic Sunday collapse at that event 14 years ago at Augusta National cost him a major title, the only major McIlroy has never won. A video on X shows McIlroy going over to Potter after a second tee shot and taking his cell phone. Potter was escorted off the grounds moments later and his phone was returned, according to Golf.com.
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“I just made a mistake and I take ownership for it,” Potter told The Golf Channel. “I apologize for it. That’s about all that needs to be said… It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologize.” Potter called McIlroy “a great player” and added, “I wish him the best.” Texas golf coach John Fields told Golf.com that Potter “has 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.” Fields said Potter wrote apology letters to McIlroy and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan among others.
Asked about the incident after his opening-round five-under par 67 on Thursday, which left him one off the lead, McIlroy refused to comment. When a reporter asked, “Can I ask you about the shenanigans with the kid,” McIlroy replied, “No, you can’t.” Asked why not, McIlroy said, “Because I don’t want you to.” Asked again about the matter, McIlroy answered, “I’m really happy that I shot 67 today.”
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