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‘I made a mistake’ – Rory McIlroy heckler in viral phone confiscation is prominent college golfer
The heckler confronted by Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship is a prominent college golfer, it has been revealed. Four-time major winner McIlroy is at TPC Sawgrass for the PGA Tour’s flagship event – which began on Thursday. Footage showed McIlroy taking a fan’s phone during a practice round at The Players@gabinus_ganix on X McIlroy was competing in a practice round alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry on Tuesday when he was filmed approaching a patron. The Northern Irishman asks the spectator, ‘Let me see your phone’ – and proceeds to take it before walking off. The social media user who posted the video said McIlroy hit a wayward tee shot into a water hazard and the fan shouted ‘just like 2011 at Augusta’ before the incident occurred. That was a reference to the 35-year-old’s infamous collapse at the Masters – when he held a four-shot lead after 54 holes and shot 80 in the final round. And 14 years on, it remains a sensitive topic for McIlroy – as the Green Jacket continues to elude him in his quest to win all four majors and complete a career grand slam. It has now emerged that the heckler was University of Texas golfer Luke Potter. The incident happened one day after the 20-year-old earned his first NCAA individual victory across the road at Sawgrass Country Club. Potter has since told Golf Channel: “Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologise for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. … It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologise.” It was Potter’s teammate who had his phone taken by McIlroy – and it was returned as both men were escorted off the property. Potter, who is ranked 60th in the World Amateur Golf rankings, has also written to McIlroy to apologise. McIlroy is eyeing a second career win at TPC SawgrassGetty “He’s got a hole in his heart,” Texas golf coach John Fields told Golf.com of Potter. “He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this fashion. “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.” McIlroy opened up with a five-under-par round of 67 on Thursday to put himself one shot back of overnight leader Lucas Glover. He was in no mood to talk about the incident when asked by media members on Thursday night. when asked about being heckled by a spectator during a practice round earlier this week, McIlroy declined to discuss the matter. “No, you can’t,” McIlroy joked with a reporter after being asked if he could enquire about the incident. Asked why not, McIlroy added with a laugh: “Because I don’t want you to.” The world no.2 won golf’s unofficial fifth major in 2019 and already has a victory to his name on the PGA Tour this season. However, he followed victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with two disappointing performances at the Genesis Invitational and – most recently – the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Check out all the best Cheltenham Festival free bets and offers at our dedicated page including 40/1 Galopin Des Champs to win the Gold Cup!
The heckler confronted by Rory McIlroy at The Players Championship is a prominent college golfer, it has been revealed.
Four-time major winner McIlroy is at TPC Sawgrass for the PGA Tour’s flagship event – which began on Thursday.
McIlroy was competing in a practice round alongside Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry on Tuesday when he was filmed approaching a patron.
The Northern Irishman asks the spectator, ‘Let me see your phone’ – and proceeds to take it before walking off.
The social media user who posted the video said McIlroy hit a wayward tee shot into a water hazard and the fan shouted ‘just like 2011 at Augusta’ before the incident occurred.
That was a reference to the 35-year-old’s infamous collapse at the Masters – when he held a four-shot lead after 54 holes and shot 80 in the final round.
And 14 years on, it remains a sensitive topic for McIlroy – as the Green Jacket continues to elude him in his quest to win all four majors and complete a career grand slam.
It has now emerged that the heckler was University of Texas golfer Luke Potter.
The incident happened one day after the 20-year-old earned his first NCAA individual victory across the road at Sawgrass Country Club.
Potter has since told Golf Channel: “Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologise for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. … It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologise.”
It was Potter’s teammate who had his phone taken by McIlroy – and it was returned as both men were escorted off the property.
Potter, who is ranked 60th in the World Amateur Golf rankings, has also written to McIlroy to apologise.
“He’s got a hole in his heart,” Texas golf coach John Fields told Golf.com of Potter. “He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this fashion.
“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.”
McIlroy opened up with a five-under-par round of 67 on Thursday to put himself one shot back of overnight leader Lucas Glover.
He was in no mood to talk about the incident when asked by media members on Thursday night.
when asked about being heckled by a spectator during a practice round earlier this week, McIlroy declined to discuss the matter.
“No, you can’t,” McIlroy joked with a reporter after being asked if he could enquire about the incident.
Asked why not, McIlroy added with a laugh: “Because I don’t want you to.”
The world no.2 won golf’s unofficial fifth major in 2019 and already has a victory to his name on the PGA Tour this season.
However, he followed victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with two disappointing performances at the Genesis Invitational and – most recently – the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
