The fan who heckled Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship and had his phone stolen by the golf star is a University of Texas star, it has been revealed.
Luke Potter, 20, has already written a letter of apology to McIlroy and other tournament officials after he was escorted out of TPC Sawgrass over the incident.
Potter went viral after footage emerged of McIlroy walking off with his phone following criticism of the Northern Irishman’s game.
McIlroy, playing a practice round at the iconic course in Florida, sent his tee shot on the 18th hole into the water on Tuesday.
That prompted Potter to yell ‘just like 2011 at Augusta’, mocking McIlroy for his infamous Masters meltdown more than a decade ago.
Once McIlroy had returned to the tee box and hit his second tee shot, he walked over to Potter and his friend with a club still in hand and asked to see his phone.
University of Texas golfer Luke Potter was the fan who heckled Rory McIlroy earlier this week
Rory McIlroy stole Luke Potter’s phone at The Players Championship in a furious response
McIlroy took the phone out of the fan’s hand, looked through it and then walked away with it
McIlroy took the phone out of Potter’s hand, looked through it and then walked away with it still in his possession. Potter was escorted of the property and his phone was eventually returned.
Potter looked shocked and footage of the incident has gone viral online, racking up over a million views.
Speaking to Golf Channel, Potter said: ‘Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it. I apologize for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. It’s just a good learning experience. Yeah, I apologize.’
Speaking to Golf.com, Potter’s coach John Fields said: ‘He’s got a hole in his heart. He had no idea that what was coming out of his mouth was going to result in this fashion.
‘With regards to our University of Texas program, I mean it’s an embarrassing moment.
‘It is particularly sensitive to me because our program is built on respect for the game, and I would tell you that we coach 18- to 22-year-olds on a normal basis and they don’t always make the right call, and that’s my responsibility as a coach and when they do make a mistake it’s a learning moment.’
Fields would not reveal whether Potter would face punishment from the University of Texas.
However, Potter has written apology letters to McIlroy, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and other officials.
‘How we handle [the incident] is extremely important, and suffice to say Luke’s paying the consequences of that,’ he continued.
‘Going forward he’s going to be a better man. That’s what I think.’
McIlroy was five-under for his opening round at the Players Championship – one off the lead
Potter (left) and his teammates are in Ponte Vedra Beach for The Hayt Collegiate Tournament
Potter and the University of Texas men’s team are in Ponte Vedra Beach for The Hayt Collegiate Tournament, a 54-hole stroke play even that welcomes the elite of college golf.
Potter collected his first NCAA individual victory, beating the field with a final-round 69. He also helped the Longhorns rally for a 7-shot win.
The incident obviously did not affect McIlroy going into the tournament as he made a brilliant start.
McIlroy, who has already won at Pebble Beach this season, was five-under par for his opening round – one shot off the three leaders.
He declined to comment on the incident after his round on Thursday.
