Rory McIlroy's "Tooth Excuse"

The world of professional golf and of sports in general was clearly astounded at golf world #1 Rory McIlroy's decision to walk off the course on the 8th hole of the second round of the Honda Classic. He was 7 over par when he handed his score card to playing partner Ernie Els and left. TV golf commentator Johnnie Miller, himself a two-time major champion, claimed that McIlroy’s playing partners Ernie Els and Mark Wikson urged him not to leave the course, telling him he didn't understand the mess he'd be causing. Shortly after the incident, Tiger Woods weighed in, saying that Rory should be more careful about what he says, perhaps referring to the fact that prior to walking off McIlroy had complained a lot about his game but not about a sore wisdom tooth, which eventually became the reason given by Rory's spokesman for the act. Finally, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, who has become a mentor to Rory McIlroy, weighed in on Sunday. Nicklaus said: “He shouldn’t have walked off the golf course. That was unfortunate. I think if he’d thought about it for five minutes he wouldn’t have done it....I don't know whether it was a wisdom tooth or whatever. Probably he's so frustrated with what's happening and the way he's played for the last month or so. That would be my assessment although I might be talking out of school." Nicklaus had paid a visit to the course he designed and a tournament that benefits the children's charity run by his wife Barbara. McIroy is scheduled to address the media and apologize for his behavior at a Tuesday press conference at the WGC Cadillac Championship in Miami. He spent the weekend practising with his coach, Michael Bannon. Since Friday, McIlroy's walk-off has become known as ‘McIl-gate", with much of the attention focused once more on his mega-money move to Nike. Apparently, when McIlroy spoke to Nicklaus last week he confessed he was having problems adjusting to the irons, an argument that drew a swift rebuke from the Golden Bear Sunday. "I simply don’t buy the idea that the clubs have anything to do with how he’s playing," said Nicklaus, who, however, has never been sponsored by Nike. "I used to play one set of McGregor clubs in America, a set of Slazenger clubs in England and then another set and another ball when I was in Australia. Rory's talent is a far bigger influence on his golf than his clubs could ever be. He’s so gifted he could play with anything. He’s just having a little blip but he will be swinging the club just fine by the time the Master's comes around." The McIlroy team used the needed excuse of a sore wisdom tooth, because a medical reason is required by the tour to avoid fines for walking off the golf course before completing a round. But there have been many doubts raised about the authenticity of the tooth excuse since McIlroy had given no previous indication he was having any issues other than with his golf game. “I’m a great fan of Rory’s, but I don’t think that was the right thing to do,” said Els after the round. And, even more problematic was the remark of McIlroy’s agent, Conor Ridge, who reportedly said, “He’s not hurt. He’s not sick. And he won’t answer his phone. I don’t know.” Dear readers, every professional sportsperson has his or her bad days. And they have to endure having them while a worldwide TV audience is watching. But, the mark of a real professional is that they take the bad just as calmly as they take the good. It is easy to smile and be polite and follow the rules when receiving the PGA Open winner's trophy. The real test is to endure and continue when you're 7 over after 8 holes on a very tough Nicklaus-designed Pro course. Rory McIlroy needs to grow up and into his #1 role. Golf will not long tolerate a lack of respect for the game - and certainly not from young Rory McIlroy.