College student apologizes for brutal Rory McIlroy jab

Rory McIlroy got heckled at the Players Championship in a now-viral moment, and the Texas University student is now apologizing. The college golfer was removed from the grounds at TPC Sawgrass in the wake of the incident and has now issued a statement expressing remorse for his action.

Texas student apologizes to Rory McIlroy

It is unclear what Texas student Luke Potter said to Rory McIlroy at TPC Sawgrass, but it is reported that Potter brought up the 2011 Masters when McIlroy suffered a collapse on the back nine and fell by 10 strokes to Charl Schwartzel. McIlroy went over after the shot and asked for Potter’s phone before walking away with it.

Now, Potter is sorry for what he said. Via ESPN, he said, “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.”

Even Potter’s college coach got involved, saying, “He’s got a hole in his heart. He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this fashion.” John Fields did, however, express regret that it reflects poorly on him and the program.

“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,” he added.

Potter reportedly also sent written apologies to McIlroy, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and others. McIlroy was asked about the heckler after his opening-round -5 scoreline, but he declined to comment and instead said he’d be “happy” to discuss his round-one performance instead.