Rory McIlroy battled valiantly to scrape inside the cut here at the Players Championship, but not everyone in the Florida crowd was appreciative of his efforts.
Indeed, for the first time since the Ryder Cup in September, where the Northern Irishman and wife Erica came in for unprecedented abuse from the New York galleries, McIlroy was heckled.
A group of men on the fourth on the Stadium Course shouted “get in the water” as the world No 2 tried to muscle his ball from the rough over the hazard in front of the green – and cheered when their wish came true. It is understood that a few of the fans were then evicted.
It is not clear if McIlroy was aware of the incident, but, if so, it would have taken him by surprise. A couple of weeks ago, he was asked if he anticipated being targeted after his “horrific” experience in Bethpage. “I would hope not but that remains to be seen,” he said. “The reception that I get… everywhere I go to play is usually amazing and I’m deeply grateful for that. I think the Ryder Cup was just a one-off.”
McIlroy is simply glad to still be in town. He knew what was resting on his final hole here at the second round. Conjure a birdie and ensure he remained at this Stadium Course for the weekend. Or make a par and risk having to take a trip to the Houston Open.
The four on the par-five ninth (he started on the 10th) was practically ensured when McIlroy hit a brilliant three-wood some 285 yards into the heart of the green. A two-putt confirmed a card of 71, one under, and on one over for the tournament he survived the cut.