RORY MCILROY snatched a heckling fans phone away and walked off with it after reacting to jeers before the Players Championship.
The spectator taunted McIlroy at Sawgrass after he hit his tee shot into the water at a par three, yelling: “Just like 2011 at Augusta.”
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McIlroy notoriously choked away a 54 hole lead at the 2011 Masters, shooting an horrendous 80 in the final round to crash to 15th.
After reloading and hitting the green at Sawgrass, the world No 2 calmly walked over and asked the fan if he could see his phone.
The bizarre encounter saw the Northern Irishman walk away with the device, while looking intently at the screen.
Video of the incident was later posted on social media.
But by then McIlroy had left the course, and what became of the spectator’s phone remained a mystery.
McIlroy also memorably choked away a two-shot lead at the US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina last year.
His missed putts on the 16th and 18th holes allowed Bryson DeChambeau to win the tournament.
But McIlroy will tee off alongside fellow Major champions Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schuffele on Thursday.
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The 35-year-old won his 27th PGA Tour title at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last month,
Meanwhile, McIlroy said he does not expect Tiger Woods to play again this year after the 15-time major winner’s latest injury setback.
On Tuesday Woods, 49, had surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.
The American has played a reduced schedule since suffering serious leg injuries in a car crash in 2021.
He has not played in a PGA Tour event since The Open in July.
McIlroy said: “It sucks. He doesn’t have much luck when it comes to injuries and his body.
“We obviously won’t see him play golf this year, and hopefully we see him maybe play in 2026.”
McIlroy has been largely injury-free since rupturing an ankle ligament in 2015, which forced him to miss the defence of his Open title.
Speaking before the Players Championship starting on Thursday, the 35-year-old said he intends to retire with a “little bit left in the tank”.
He added: “I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes.
“So whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing.
“I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should.”
Rory McIlroy’s career achievements
By Ian Tuckey
Rory McIlroy spent more than 100 weeks at World No1 – and has scooped four Majors and won 40 tournaments in all SO FAR.
Only all-time greats Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods have matched his feat of winning one of the big four by the age of 25.
And after winning the 2011 US Open, the Northern Ireland ace added the PGA Championship the following year – adding the Open and PGA crowns in 2014.
Here’s a rundown on the glittering career of the 35-year-old, five-time Ryder Cup winner, who was also a strong critic of the rival Saudi-backed LIV tour:
- 2007 – topped the world amateur rankings aged 17.
Turned professional in September.
Became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.
- 2009 – reached the world top 50.
- 2010 – won his first PGA Tour title via the Quail Hollow Championship.
Made a winning Ryder Cup debut.
Became the youngest player to reach $10m earnings on the PGA Tour.
- 2011 – Famously blew a four-stroke lead on the final day of the Masters in May.
But won his first major the following month – the US Open.
Named Sports Person of the year by RTE – Ireland’s main broadcaster.
- 2012 – lifted the PGA Championship.
Named PGA Tour player of the year and picked up more Ryder Cup glory.
- 2013 – signed a huge sponsorship deal with Nike.
- 2014 – his best year to date, majors wise.
Won the Open at Royal Liverpool.
Then clinched back-to-back PGA crowns, beating Phil Mickelson by one stroke.
Named RTE Sports Person of the year for a second time.
Again helped Europe win the Ryder Cup.
- 2016 – Ended the season winning the Tour championship, putting him top of the FedEx Cup and landing him the $10m bonus pool.
Suffered Ryder Cup defeat.
- 2017 – failed to win all year.
But gained top 10 finishes at the Masters, The Open and 3 WGC events.
And with Nike largely withdrawing from the golf market, he landed an £80m endorsement deal with TaylorMade.
- 2018 – More Ryder Cup joy.
- 2020 Overtook Brooks Koepka to become World No1
- 2021 – A Ryder Cup loser.
- 2022 – runners-up at the Masters and finished third at the Open.
- 2023 – helped Europe thrash the USA 16.5-11.5 in the Ryder Cup.
- 2024 – struggled early in the season, finishing just joint-22nd in the Masters.
But then won two tournaments – the Zurich Classic for his 25th PGA title and the Wells Fargo Championship.
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