The reaction from Rory McIlroy’s fellow WGC – Cadillac Championship professionals has been very amusing despite the seriousness of the World No. 1 staring at a fine over the incident at the 8th hole on day two of the event.
McIlroy’s frustration simply boiled over as he hurled his $200 Nike Vapor 3-iron into the depths of one of the many lakes on the Blue Monster layout here at Trump National Doral in suburban Miami.
Double Masters winning Bubba Watson: “I thought it was a practice swing and the grip was wet You know we all get frustrated, so there’s no reason to say anything negative about it.”
2013 Masters winning Adam Scott: “I can understand Rory throwing a club as it’s the most frustrating game ever.
“So I am not surprised to learn he’s thrown a club as we’ve all done it whether your a pro or just playing at your local club on a weekend.
Rory McIlroy hurls his Nike 3-iron 60 yards into the water during the second round of the WGC – Cadillac Championship;
“It’s shocking when you see it from a leading Tour player but it’s a brutal game and tell me who hasn’t thrown a club.
“But then I threw one back home in Australia about four years ago just playing a social round and I wasn’t even playing in a match.
“I have to say it felt good. Though I didn’t throw it forward as Tommy Bolt use to recommend and actually made the mistake of throwing it backwards (smiling).”
Former World and European No. 1 Henrik Stenson: “Well, it’s hot out there. We are sweating a lot. That practice swing didn’t work out and it just kind of ended up in the water. Yeah it’s a big issue that we don’t have enough baby powder out there.
“I think I’ve thrown my fair share over the years. Even though I’m pretty determined to keep my head on this week.
“But then I have to say Rory put a good release on it. You know, he’s a strong fellow for not the tallest guy, and he had good speed on that one, too.
“So it gets to the best of us and I was the first to comment to him saying (laughing) ‘it takes one to know one you know’.
Fellow Irishman Shane Lowry: “I did something similar myself in China last year, that’s what this course will do to you”.
