Rory McIlroy says he made a mistake by walking off the course

Rory McIlroy’s reputation took a big hit last week when he walked off the course and withdrew from the tournament during the second round of the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. McIlroy was seven-over for the round when he hit his second shot into the water on the 18th and abruptly walked away without finishing the hole.

On his way to the parking lot, he told reporters that his head was not in the right place. He later issued a statement that his wisdom tooth was causing pain.

Many golf fans quickly labeled him as a quitter who folded when things weren’t going his way. One key member of the PGA Tour agrees with that assessment: Rory McIlroy.

“It was a reactive decision,” McIlroy told Sports Illustrated. “What I should have done is take my drop, chip it on, try to make a 5 and play my hardest on the back nine, even if I shot 85. What I did was not good for the tournament, not good for the kids and the fans who were out there watching me. It was not the right thing to do.

“Whatever people are saying, I already said to myself.”

McIlroy is playing the Cadillac Championship this week and is to speak to reporters on Wednesday.

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