College golfer facing “consequences” after heckling Rory McIlroy

A top college golfer has been warned he faces “consequences” after being ejected from The PLAYERS Championship on Tuesday for heckling Rory McIlroy.

Footage widely shared on social media saw four-time major winner McIlroy confront a spectator after hitting his tee shot on the 18th at TPC Sawgrass into the water.

It’s unclear what the spectator said to aggravate the Irishman but those on the ground claim it included a reference to the 2011 Masters, where McIlroy surrendered a four-shot lead on the back nine to miss out on what would have been his maiden major win.

In the clip, McIlroy asks the heckler for his phone, which is handed to him without much protest.

McIlroy then walks away with the device as the footage ends.

This is where things take an even more peculiar turn.

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According to Golf.com, the heckler responsible was Luke Potter, a 20-year-old college golfer from the University of Texas.

Potter and his teammates were in the area to compete in The Hayt Collegiate Tournament at Sawgrass Country Club across the road from TPC Sawgrass.

On Monday, the side won the team title by seven shots, with Potter scooping the individual honours, and they celebrated by watching the practice round for The PLAYERS on Tuesday.

And that’s when Potter fell foul of McIlroy with his ill-judged remark.

It is understood that the world No.2 handed Potter’s phone to security and had him ejected from the property, much to the embarrassment of his coach John Fields.

“He’s got a hole in his heart,” Fields told Golf.com. “He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this.

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“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.”

Fields added that Potter has already written letters of apology to various people for the incident, including McIlroy and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.

“How we handle [the incident] is extremely important, and suffice to say Luke’s paying the consequences of that,” he added. “Going forward he’s going to be a better man. That’s what I think.”

Speaking to the Golf Channel, Potter himself said: “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.”

McIlroy declined to comment on the matter after opening his PLAYERS title tilt with a five-under 67.

Michael McEwan is bunkered's Head of Content and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Head of Content