Rory McIlroy issued a resolute three-word response when asked for comment on the bizarre incident which saw him snatch a fan's phone at the Players Championship in Sawgrass.
During the practice rounds earlier this week, McIlroy struggled at the 18th, hitting his ball into the water from his tee shot (curiously, it was at the 18th that McIlroy's infamous opening round struggles at last year's Players Championship began).
On this occasion, when the ball hit the water, a cry could be heard from Texan college golfer among the fans on the course, mocking McIlroy and bringing up the Irishman's disastrous final round at the 2011 Masters. Potter allegedly shouted, "Just like 2011 at Augusta!" as McIlroy's shot landed in the water.
The reference to Augusta 2011 appeared to get under McIlroy's skin, who approached Potter and his friend and asked to "see" their phone - before simply pocketing it and walking away.
🚨📱👮🏻 #UPDATE — College golfer Luke Potter was booted from the grounds yesterday after heckling Rory with a reference to the 2011 Masters. McIlroy took his phone +had him removed by TOUR security. “Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it” pic.twitter.com/E5OuTe3IO5
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 13, 2025
Potter and his friend eventually had the phone returned but also found themselves ejected from the course for their antics.
The 20-year-old admitted he had been in the wrong, saying he "took ownership" of his mistake. It was a particularly disappointing heckle from a player established as a promising star of American college golf.
Despite the questionable antics of Potter, McIlroy's reaction was equally bizarre. The Irishman has long advocated for golfers to receive more respect from patrons on the course, and this appeared a direct response to those long-standing gripes.
After an impressive opening round on Thursday, McIlroy was tight-lipped when asked to comment on the incident earlier in the week.
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Rory McIlroy responds after bizarre phone snatch
Rory McIlroy was in fine form on the opening day of the Players Championship at Sawgrass and addressed the media shortly after carding an opening round 67.
One reporter attempted to broach the subject of McIlroy's clash with Luke Potter earlier in the week but was met with a stern response.
🚨❌💀 Rory McIlroy declined to comment on the heckling incident with college golfer Luke Potter yesterday at TPC Sawgrass. The incident resulted in Rory confiscating a phone and having the golfer removed from the grounds. @TrackingRory
(Via @CPowers14) pic.twitter.com/ad0AqJ4iJq— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 13, 2025
McIlroy laughed as he firmly shut down the line of questioning.
No you can't.
(Why not?)
Because I don't want you to!
The four-time Major champion appeared to be in good spirits after an encouraging start to the tournament on Thursday.
McIlroy teed off alongside Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler in the day's most star-studded group, and he carded the best round of the trio to sit just one shot off the overnight leaders.
He will tee off at 1:24pm Irish time on Friday.
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