Rory McIlroy reacts after hitting the ball into the water on the 18th hole during the second round of the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., March 1, 2013. (DOUG MURRAY/Reuters)
PALM BEACH SPRINGS, FLA. - Rory McIlroy says a sore wisdom tooth impacted his game.
The prevailing feeling around PGA National on Friday was that his original explanation — that he is mentally fried — is just as close to the truth.
The world No. 1 and defending champion withdrew from the Honda Classic Friday after shooting 7-over par on the first eight holes of the second round. McIlroy was even entering the round but started terribly, with a double bogey on 11 (he started on the 10th hole), a bogey on 13, a triple bogey on 16 and a bogey on 17.
"I'm not in a good place mentally," McIlroy said immediately. "I really don't know what's going on."
McIlroy, a 23-year-old from Northern Ireland, later issued a statement and apology saying he has been dealing with a sore wisdom tooth and was in too much pain to concentrate.
That explanation seemed to satisfy Honda Classic organizers and the PGA Tour, provided McIlroy can prove he had a medical reason for walking off the course in the middle of a round.
