Rory McIlroy Withdraws from Honda Classic
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Stuart Franklin/Getty Images(PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla.) — Rory McIlroy withdrew from the Honda Classic on Friday after hitting his second shot into the water on the par-5 18th hole.
The defending Honda Classic champion was 7 over after making a double-bogey on the 11th, a bogey on the 13th, a triple on the 16th and a bogey on the 17th.
Before walking to his car, McIlroy told reporters that he was in a bad place mentally.
“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,” McIlroy told reporters.
“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,” he continued.
McIlroy shot even-par 70 in Thursday’s first round of the Honda before withdrawing on Friday.
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