McIlroy had seven birdies in Thursday's opening round even though he hit only four of 14 fairways on the Stadium Course.

McIlroy climbed within a shot of the lead shared by Lucas Glover, J.J. Spaun and Camilo Villegas, who all fired six-under 66s.

Rory McIlroy was interested only in his good start to The Players Championship on Thursday than discussing a heckling incident in which he took the phone of a University of Texas player who had heckled him during a practice round.

A University of Texas men’s golfer was reportedly escorted out of TPC Sawgrass following an incident with Rory McIlroy during Tuesday’s practice round for The Players.

If Rory McIlroy treats his rivals with the same contempt he dished out to one of America’s top college golfers who crassly heckled him at The Players Championship, then there will be only one recipient of the £3.

When a fan chirped Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship this week, McIlroy took action. Here's what happened next.

Rory McIlroy appeared to take matters into his own hands after being heckled by a fan during a practice round at the Players Championship. McIlroy is currently at TPC Sawgrass as he prepares for the PGA Tour’s flagship event,