Rory McIlroy is the number one ranked golfer in the world, but based on how he has played this year, that ranking looks too high and after walking off the course at the Honda Classic on Friday, the Northern Irishman may slip a bit more.
According to the Associated Press, McIlroy walked off the course during the ninth hole after shooting 7-over par, saying to reporters as he got in his car that he was "not in a good place mentally." The 23-year-old golfer shook hands with Ernie Els and Mark Wilson and left the course after shooting triple-bogey, a double-bogey and two pars in his first eight holes.
McIlroy cited severe wisdom tooth pain as the reason he left, saying that the issue was affecting his concentration and his playing partners. He released a statement soon after he withdrew.
"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 golfer also tweeted an apology, writing: "Apologies to all at the Honda. A tough day made impossible by severe tooth pain. Was desperate to defend title but couldn't play on. Gutted."
Based on the rules, players are allowed to withdraw from tournaments without penalty "because of injury or other disability which requires medical attention, or serious personal emergency." His playing partner Ernie Els shot even on Friday and was tied at 41st in the tournament when McIlroy left.
"It's unfortunate," said McIlroy's playing partner Ernie Els, who shot even par Friday and was tied for 41st early when he finished his round. "I'm a great fan of Rory's, but I don't think that was the right thing to do."
McIlroy has had a very slow start to the year and missed the cut at Abu Dhabi along with Tiger Woods before being eliminated in the first round at Match Play this week. Now that he has withdrawn from the Honda Classic, it marks his third straight tournament that he has not reached weekend play.
The golfer has been dealing with a high-profile equipment change to Nike clubs and he has not looked like himself on the course thus far this season.
