The Players Championship controversies including Rory McIlroy’s fake ID and disqualified star

Action at TPC Sawgrass is reaching a fever pitch with the $25 million Players Championship prize pot on the line.

The Players has always been a standout, flagship event on the PGA Tour, known for its hefty prize pool – the largest of any tournament. Last year, Scottie Scheffler sealed an unforgettable victory, edging out the competition on 20 under, just one stroke ahead of American contenders Wyndham Clark, Brian Harman, and Xander Schauffele.

Past editions of the tournament have been equally thrilling and contentious. We’re taking a stroll down memory lane to revisit some of the most talked-about incidents from past Players Championships, including Rory McIlroy – who won the event in 2019 – and his infamous fake ID incident, as well as Shane Lowry‘s frustrated outburst.

Rory McIlroy’s fake ID

Back when he was just 20 years old, McIlroy’s introduction to the Players Championship was less than stellar. He didn’t make it past the initial rounds, scoring a disappointing 74-77. However, his troubles didn’t end there, reports the Mirror US.

Reflecting on his first experience at the tournament last year, McIlroy revealed the additional challenges he faced after failing to make the cut. He recounted how he was booted from bars at Jax Beach for trying to use a fake ID.

“The first year I played here, the week before, I was in Vegas for a fight and then probably didn’t prepare the best way possible,” McIlroy, now 35, admitted. “I missed the cut and ended up getting kicked out of bars in Jax beach for having a fake ID. I’ve come a long way!”

Controversy over a drop

The TPC Sawgrass hasn’t made for smooth sailing for McIlroy in other renewals either – case in point, last year’s drop zone debate with Jordan Spieth and Viktor Hovland. The drama unfolded 12 months ago when McIlroy’s 10th-hole drive took a watery detour, leading to a drop that Spieth and Hovland eyed with skepticism.

Tensions escalated over on No. 7 after McIlroy’s ball made another splash. He maintained the ball bounced above the red line, marking his drop spot accordingly, despite Spieth and Hovland’s doubts about the ball’s first point of contact.

Neither Spieth nor Hovland commented publicly on the debacle; however, McIlroy openly discussed the matter: “I’m comfortable. I think that’s the most important thing. I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing. I mean, I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it. I was adamant.

“If anything, I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day, we’re all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well. I wouldn’t say it was needless. I think he was just trying to make sure that what happened was the right thing.”

Rickie Fowler’s outburst

Last year, Fowler made waves at the Players when he had a run-in with a fan while teeing off on the 16th. His caddie, Ricky Romano, was overheard asking the crowd to silence their phones during Fowler’s tee shot.

Despite nailing an impressive 285-yard drive, Fowler was visibly upset after the shot, pointing at a spectator and demanding, “You! What are you doing” – even as he completed his follow-through.

Wyndham Clark disqualified

Clark faced a tough time five years prior to Fowler’s incident. During his rookie year in 2019, he had high hopes for a strong showing at Ponte Vedra Beach.

But after a disappointing first-round 80 laden with bogeys, his tournament quickly unraveled. To make matters worse, Clark was disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard; he recorded a four on the par-4 fourth hole when he actually bogeyed it. That year’s Players Championship is surely one Clark would rather forget.

Shane Lowry’s frustrations

Lowry also experienced frustration at TPC Sawgrass, his coming back in 2023. The Irish golfer, who clinched The Open Championship in 2019, had a rough start, carding a five-over-par 77 on Thursday.

The Irishman’s frustrations were evident on the 15th hole, where he chose a risky path from the trees and failed. In response to yet another setback, Lowry vented his frustration by swearing and breaking his club on his knee after hitting it into a tree.

He double-bogeyed this hole, and his errors resulted in him finishing the round tied for 127th place. Despite these setbacks, he managed to make the cut and ended the competition tied for 35th place with a score of -4.

• Source: NEWHD MEDIA