Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked golfer in the world, abruptly walked off the golf course Friday, March 1, and withdrew from the Honda Classic in South Florida. McIlroy lasted just two shots, his second sailing into the water on the par-5 18th hole.
"I'm not in a good place mentally," McIlroy told reporters after withdrawing. "I really don't know what's going on."
The top-ranked golfer said nothing was wrong physically, but did confirm something was off with his swing. He was seven over for the tournament when he left the course at Palm Beach according to The Los Angeles Times.
PGA rules do allow a player to withdraw from a round "due to an injury or a serious personal emergency" according to CBS News. McIlroy later tried to blame his withdrawal on a painful wisdom tooth.
"I have been suffering with a sore wisdom tooth, which is due to come out in the near future," McIlroy said according The Los Angeles Times. "It began bothering me again last night, so I relieved it with Advil. It was very painful again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It was really bothering me and had begun to affect my playing partners."
Some have speculated that McIlroy isn't happy with his current golf equipment. He switched from Titleist to Nike this past January.
Whatever the reason was, a lot of fellow golfers and critics feel he should have finished the event regardless.
"I didn't know that quitting was an option," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "And I don't think it should be for McIlroy either. When the going gets tough, you play through it. You don't quit."
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