“Just made a mistake,” Luke Potter APOLOGIZES to Rory McIlroy and PGA Tour board after heckling incident at The Players 

Luke Potter apologizes to the PGA Tour board and Rory McIlroy for “inappropriate behavior” at The Players.

“Just made a mistake,” Luke Potter APOLOGIZES to Rory McIlroy and PGA Tour board after heckling incident at The Players 

Rory McIlroy and Luke Potter [Image Credit: Imago/Texas Longhorns]

The Players Championship started off with some heated exchanges between Rory McIlroy and University of Texas men’s golfer Luke Potter, who was later escorted out of the field. McIlroy has since then stayed mum on the situation with the viral video making several rounds on social media. 

During Tuesday’s practice round at The Players, Rory McIlroy was heckled by a fan and his companion on the 18th hole at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Potter was shortly removed from the TPC Sawgrass and has apologized publicly for the disturbance.

YouTube video

The incident followed when McIlroy’s ball ended up in the water and Luke Potter commented, “Just like 2011 at Augusta.” The 2011 incident involving McIlroy has become a tale of the golf world which showed how fast things can turn for the worse even for a world class player.

FS Video

However, mentioning this incident during McIlroy’s practice round for The Players wasn’t a smart move as Potter apologized to the player and also to the PGA Tour board. Potter issued an apology to PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, PGA Tour University Director Brendan Von Doehren, and UNF coach Scott Schroeder. 

In the video clip, McIlroy was seen walking towards Potter and his companion and asking them to hand over their phone. Their phone was later returned to them, as per various news sources. 

Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologize for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. … It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologize.

Luke Potter as per Blake Schuster of USA Today.com.

Rory McIlroy was asked to comment on this incident during the press conference but did not comply. He said he didn’t want to comment on the incident and move on with his “67 today.”

Texas coach apologizes for Luke Potter’s behavior towards Rory McIlroy at The Players

Following the incident, Texas head coach John Fields apologized for Luke Potter’s behavior towards Rory McIlroy at The Players. Fields said Potter “had  no idea that what was coming out of his mouth” and what it could result in. 

Rory McIlroy and Luke Potter [Image Credit: Imago/Texas Longhorns]
Rory McIlroy and Luke Potter [Image Credit: Imago/Texas Longhorns]

Later, Potter praised McIlroy, saying he’s one of the best players out there and he wishes him the best for the future games. According to the PGA Tour fan code, no spectators are allowed to make “rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments or gestures.”

He’s got a hole in his heart…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…that’s my responsibility as a coach and when they do make a mistake it’s a learning moment.

John Fields as per Blake Schuster of USA Today.com.

Fields further said that they coach 18-year-old to 22-year-old golfers on a regular basis and “they don’t always make the right call.” He took responsibility for Potter and apologized for causing the ruckus at the practice field.

Why is 2011 Augusta ‘memorable’ for Rory McIlroy?

Rory McIlroy’s 2011 Augusta event was surely a memorable one, but for all the wrong reasons. From a leading position in the final round, he tumbled backwards with his drive getting hooked in the woods, ending with a triple-bogey seven which finally ended his chances at a comeback win.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy [Image Credit: Imago]

McIlroy said that it was a first kind of experience for him, and he is going to learn and get better at handling situations like this in the future. His meltdown at 2011 Augusta was a nightmare and a tale for the golfing community to remember even in the future.

While his downfall ended up with him getting tied for the 15th position, he went on to win the U.S. Open Championship just two months later. Although no one is going to forget this incident, for McIlroy, it was a learning experience.