Everything we know about Rory McIlory getting heckled by a college golfer at The Players
Rory McIlory is fighting atop the leaderboard amid the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship Friday, yet most of the public attention on him is more concerned with what happened during a practice round at TPC Sawgrass this week.
On Tuesday, as McIlroy was preparing for the biggest money-tournament of the season, the 35-year-old was at the 18th tee box when a college golf star outside the ropes reportedly began heckling him. Rory teed off then walked over and grabbed the spectator's phone before heading down the fairway.
Video of the incident quickly went viral. Here's what we know about what happened.
Texas golfer shouted “just like 2011 at Augusta” after Rory hit it in the water on his first ball and after his second shot Rory did this. What a crash out 😂 @stoolpresidente@ziregolfpic.twitter.com/UtHdO4UNOg
— Ganix Gabinus (@gabinus_ganix) March 12, 2025
Texas Longhorns golfer Luke Potter removed from TPC Sawgrass
A day after claiming his first NCAA individual victory at the John Hayt Invitational at Sawgrass Country Club, Texas' Luke Potter went to catch a practice round ahead of THE PLAYERS. He was hanging out at the 18th tee box when video captured the aftermath of Potter reportedly mocking McIlroy's meltdown at the 2011 Masters.
After McIlroy's tee shot, he appears to ask for Potter's phone before walking off.
NBC Sports reported Potter was "forced to leave the grounds" following the incident. The PGA Tour declined to comment.
Rory McIlroy declines to comment
At Rory's press availability, a reporter questioned if could ask McIlroy about the incident.
"No, you can't," McIlroy laughed in response. "Because I don’t want you to."
Texas coach calls it 'embarrassing moment', Potter apologizes
Speaking to Golf Channel, Potter owned up to his comments.
"Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it," Potter said. "I apologize for it. That's about all that needs to be said. … It's just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologize."
His University of Texas coach, John Fields, told Golf.com:
"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. 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."
According to ESPN, Potter sent written letters of apology to McIlroy and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan among several others.
What happened at the 2011 Masters?
Rory was the 54-hole leader at Augusta in 2011 and shot a 37 on the front nine before imploding with an 80 after the turn.
McIlroy finished 10 strokes behind eventual winner Charl Schwartzel. So, yeah, it's easy to understand why Rory doesn't want to think about his past meltdown before playing one of the biggest tournaments of the year this week.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Texas Longhorns golfer apologizes for heckling Rory McIlory at The Players
