HTWD Report: Rory McIlroy Withdraws From Honda Clasic

The Rory McIlroy Saga

If you've been watching ESPN or have been on any social media site today, you already know by now that Rory McIlroy withdrew from his 2nd round at the Honda Classic. He couldn't finish his 9 holes in which he was playing terribly (I believe he was 7 over thru 8 holes when he WD'd), and, after putting a ball in the water on the 18th hole (his 9th hole of the day), he shook his playing partners' hands and walked off the course.

After that, chaos ensued. He didn't hold an immediate press conference and just took off with his camp in a car. There were reports saying that he was "in a bad place mentally", and just needed to leave. He eventually released a statement, citing a medical injury as his claim to WD (for those unfamiliar, if you WD mid-round in a PGA Tour event, you must give a medical reason). He later released an official statement, saying he was affected by "wisdom tooth pain that couldn't let (him) concentrate" and needed to just get out of there. So many stories and speculation in a span of a few hours that it seems like everyone is putting their own spin on what just happened.

With that said, here's my take.

Rory needs to face the media and come clean with why he really withdrew. Was it more of a mental or physical reason? Having 2 stories come out for this is not a very good look. He'll either look like a quitter, or a soft guy who couldn't get past a toothache.

If he really was "in a bad place mentally", then I've had it with him. I didn't like the move to Nike, and I don't like what he's doing now. How are you in a bad place mentally after getting a reported $200 million, are the No. 1 player in the world, and have a beautiful girlfriend? You put this on yourself, dude. The equipment problem was something you started, and you could have shut the entire media up by playing decently. Now, the questions about you and Nike will only get bigger by the minute. I can guarantee that we wouldn't be talking about your equipment had you not switched after a career year. With this WD, questions will remain and the pressure increase each time you're on the course. It's time to man up and play elite golf like you normally do.

If Rory really has a problem with his wisdom teeth, then some sympathy can be given. I've never had my teeth in serious pain, but I know friends who have had their wisdom teeth in pain/pulled out, and they have assured me it isn't fun. And although some sympathy can be given towards him, that doesn't make this situation less bad. Tiger's won a U.S. Open on one leg. The only time's he's withdrawn in recent history are because of his Achilles, which is a legitimate problem that could deteriorate your swing/health. But a wisdom tooth? That's going to raise questions about his toughness for sure.

All in all, I feel like this was a lose-lose situation for Rory. If he was struggling mentally, then he needs to toughen up. If he was struggling physically, then he still needs to toughen up. I feel like he should have kept playing, unless he was going to seriously do something bad to his mouth (which seemed unlikely). He should have kept going for the fans who paid money to go out there and watch him, regardless if he was going to miss the cut or not. At least if he missed the cut, it would have been an alleged issue of equipment, like it has been in his last few events. But now, the questions surrounding him are reaching an all time high. And at such a young and promising age, that is not something you want.

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