A Golfer of the University of Texas was withdrawn from the TPC Sawgrass field during a round of playing the players’ championship on Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass in a moment which became viral on social networks involving the Star of the PGA Tour Rory McILroy.
Luke Potter, a junior of the Longhorns Golf Program, became viral after McILroy approached him after the young Golfer seemed to say something to the quadruple major champion just after his journey entered the water on the hole 18.
Although we do not know what Potter said, McILroy clearly did not like him, when he turned immediately and approached him. McILroy then asked for Potter’s mobile phone and took it.
CLICK HERE for more sports cover on Foxnews.com
Rory McILroy made the seventh hole in the first round of the players’ championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, Thursday March 13, 2025. (Doug Engle / Florida Times-Union)
McILroy started walking with Potter’s phone, apparently looking for the video he thought he had taken during this moment.
Golf.com reported that Potter was referring to McILroy’s master’s in 2011, where he sadly collapsed during the final round on Sunday that year, finally pulling 80 and losing the tournament against Charl Schwartzel.
While McILroy looked at Potter’s phone, the Golfer of Texas was allegedly escorted from the course. His phone was returned to him later.
Tiger Woods, Vanessa Trump has been going out since last year: report
“Listen, I just made a mistake, and I take advantage of it,” said Potter, according to The Golf Channel, on what had happened with McILroy. “I apologize for that. This is almost everything that must be said … It’s just a good learning experience. Yes, I apologize.”
Potter got high in his collegial career at the time of the incident, after winning his first individual NCAA tournament, when he won the John Hayt Collegiateal at the Sawgrass Country Club. This course is very close to TPC Sawgrass, where players take place every year.
John Fields, Potter golf coach in Texas, also spoke to Golf.com of the incident.
The Golfer of the State of Arizona, Luke Potter, looks at his putt on the seventh hole during the NCAA championship match playing the quarter -finals at the Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, on May 30, 2023. (Imagn)
“He didn’t know what came out of his mouth was going to train this fashion,” said Fields.
“Regarding our program at the University of Texas, I mean, this is 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 train children from 18 to 22 years old on a normal basis, and they do not always make the right call, and it is my responsibility as a coach, and when they make a mistake, it is a moment of learning.”
McILroy has not been discouraged at the moment, however, when he started the tournament with a first round of 5 under play Thursday. There is a shooting leaders, Lucas Glover, JJ Spaun and Camilo Villegas, who all finished 6 sous.
However, McILroy would not answer two different questions about the incident after its round.
Fields noted that Potter had sent a written letter of apology to McILroy, to the PGA Tour Jay Monahan commissioner and others.
