Viral Video: Rory McIlroy Walks Off With Heckling Fan’s Phone at The PLAYERS
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Rory McIlroy is having a solid start to his 2025 season, but he is still hungry for more as he looks to exorcise his Masters demons next month at Augusta National.
After winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am back in early February, the No. 2-ranked player in the world finished in the top 20 at both The Genesis Invitational and the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.
Now, McIlroy is gearing up for The PLAYERS Championship in what is likely his penultimate event before The Masters.
The Northern Irishman didn’t get his Wednesday practice round off to the start he had hoped, knocking his first shot into the water. After a fan heckled him about his 2011 Masters collapse following the shot, McIlroy calmly snatched the fan’s phone and walked away with it.
Of course, the fan was referencing one of the lowest moments of McIlroy’s career, when he shot an 80 in the final round at Augusta National to finish T-15 after possessing a four-shot lead after 54 holes.
Clearly, time has not healed the wound and the dig still struck a nerve with the four-time major champion.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 08: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2025 at Arnold Palmer Bay… ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 08: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits a tee shot on the 12th hole during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard 2025 at Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Golf Course on March 08, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
It is not known what ended up happening with the fan’s phone or what McIlroy wanted it for, but he was clearly in no mood to hear about his infamous collapse from anyone as he gets ready for one of the biggest events of the season.
McIlroy is seeking his second trophy at The PLAYERS Championship after winning the event back in 2019. But, his primary focus is certainly on bringing home the Green Jacket and securing the career grand slam.
McIlroy’s Masters results have been mixed in recent years. Since 2020, he has a pair of top five finishes including a solo second in 2022. However, he has also missed the cut twice.
Despite the feisty incident on Wednesday, expect McIlroy to remain cool and composed as he makes another run at The PLAYERS.
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