Sitting at seven-over par in the second round of the Honda Classic, Rory McIlroy stunned the golf world today when he simply dropped out of the tournament.
The world’s top-ranked player initially told reporters in the parking lot that he was in a “bad place mentally,” later apologizing and explaining via statement:
“I sincerely apologize. I have been suffering with a sore wisdom tooth, which is due to come out in the near future. It began bothering me again last night, so I relieved it with Advil. It was very painful again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It was really bothering me and had begun to affect my playing partners.
“I came here with every intention of defending my Honda Classic title. Even though my results haven’t revealed it, I really felt like I was rounding a corner. This is one of my favorite tournaments of the year and I regret having to make the decision to withdraw, but it was one I had to make.”
The PGA Tour does allow a player to withdraw during a round due to “injury or other disability which requires medical attention, or serious personal emergency.”
However, the rules also stipulate that McIlroy will ineligible to win the 2013 PGA Tour scoring title, something he accomplished last year.
Of course, we all know the real reason Rory dropped out: who would not want to go home to Caroline Wozniacki?!?