World No. 1 Rory McIlroy has shocked officials in withdrawing from the defence of his Honda Classic title in Florida.

The 23-year old double Major winner had slumped to seven over par for his round and the tournament including taking a double bogey at his second hole of the day and then a triple at the 16th or his seventh.

McIlroy then bogeyed his eighth but after putting a ball into the water at the 18th it was the last playing partners, Ernie Els and Mark Wilson saw of the Northern Irishman.

“There’s not really say much I can say, guys,” he said to reporters in heading to the parking lot and added cryptically, “I’m not in a good place mentally, you know?”

McIlroy told reporters nothing was physically and, asked about his swing getting stuck, he answered, “Yeah, I really don’t know what’s going on.”

However his management company, Horizon Sports then issued a statment.

“I sincerely apologise to the The Honda Classic and PGA Tour for my sudden withdrawal.  I have been suffering with a sore wisdom tooth, which is due to come out in the near future. It began bothering me again last night, so I relieved it with Advil. It was very painful again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It was really bothering me and had begun to affect my playing partners. I caredme here with every intention of defending my Honda Classic title. Even though the results haven’t revealed it, I really felt like I was rounding a corner. This is one of my favourite tournaments of the year and I regret having to make the decision to withdraw, but it was one I had to make.”

Rory also tweeted from his account @McIlroyRory: “Apologies to all at the Honda. A tough day made impossible by severe tooth pain. Was desperate to defend title but couldn’t play on. Gutted”

The last Honda Classic fans saw of World No. 1 Rory McIlroy. (Photo – Reuters)