Golf fans have condemned Rory McIlroy after he appeared to take a phone from a spectator before storming off at the Players Championship on Wednesday.
The Northern-Irishman was taunted by a fan who referenced his infamous 2011 Masters collapse after the golfer hit a tee shot into the water at par three.
Footage of the incident was later uploaded on social media, with McIlroy seen calmly walking over to the spectator in question.
The Briton then asked to see the man's phone before walking away with the device in his possession.
It is currently unclear what happened next but one X user has claimed McIlroy binned it - before the supporter got it back.
"My buddy is there and he said Rory tried to delete a video and then tossed phone in the trash nearby," they wrote.
"The kid got it back tho."
Yet golf fans have ripped into McIlroy for his antics, with many believing the 35-year-old crossed a line.
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"So a pro golfer can steal a fan's phone. Next time a pro athlete in another sport gets heckled I expect him to take that guy's phone. I mean really," fumed one fan.
A second said: "Rory is such a baby. You are a professional bro learn to deal with fans chirping. Soft soft soft."
Another opined: "Rory is in the wrong. What a cry baby!"
A fourth weighed in by saying: "This guy needs to be kicked off the tour."
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And a fifth delivered their verdict by stating: "Most unlikeable golfer now."
Others, however, have defended McIlroy and directed their anger towards the heckler instead.
One fan of the golfer said: "Right or wrong… Rory’s move was Big Alpha on this guy.
"It should also spark a bigger convo on 'fans' thinking a ticket allows them to say anything they want—it doesn’t."
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A second defended McIlroy by saying: "Why would someone talk trash about something 14 years ago that most golf fans don’t even remember? Be better."
And a third said: "Gangster move. And he got it while it was unlocked haha."
McIlroy, meanwhile, has opened up on his future in golf.
He says that he'd like to one day 'walk away maybe a little before I should', with the Briton reluctant to overstay his welcome.
“I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes," he said.
“So whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing.
“I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should.”
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The Northern-Irishman was taunted by a fan who referenced his infamous 2011 Masters collapse after the golfer hit a tee shot into the water at par three.
Footage of the incident was later uploaded on social media, with McIlroy seen calmly walking over to the spectator in question.
The Briton then asked to see the man's phone before walking away with the device in his possession.
It is currently unclear what happened next but one X user has claimed McIlroy binned it - before the supporter got it back.
"My buddy is there and he said Rory tried to delete a video and then tossed phone in the trash nearby," they wrote.
"The kid got it back tho."
Yet golf fans have ripped into McIlroy for his antics, with many believing the 35-year-old crossed a line.
JUST IN: Arsenal star blasted by fans for 'utter woke nonsense' behaviour in PSV Champions League draw
"So a pro golfer can steal a fan's phone. Next time a pro athlete in another sport gets heckled I expect him to take that guy's phone. I mean really," fumed one fan.
A second said: "Rory is such a baby. You are a professional bro learn to deal with fans chirping. Soft soft soft."
Another opined: "Rory is in the wrong. What a cry baby!"
A fourth weighed in by saying: "This guy needs to be kicked off the tour."
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#WATCH — A fan shouted “just like 2011 at Augusta” after Rory McIlroy hit his first ball in the drink during a practice round…after his second shot Rory went over & took the fan’s phone: “Can I see your phone”
@TrackingRory
(Via: @gabinus_ganix) pic.twitter.com/E5OuTe3aYx
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) March 12, 2025
And a fifth delivered their verdict by stating: "Most unlikeable golfer now."
Others, however, have defended McIlroy and directed their anger towards the heckler instead.
One fan of the golfer said: "Right or wrong… Rory’s move was Big Alpha on this guy.
"It should also spark a bigger convo on 'fans' thinking a ticket allows them to say anything they want—it doesn’t."
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A second defended McIlroy by saying: "Why would someone talk trash about something 14 years ago that most golf fans don’t even remember? Be better."
And a third said: "Gangster move. And he got it while it was unlocked haha."
McIlroy, meanwhile, has opened up on his future in golf.
He says that he'd like to one day 'walk away maybe a little before I should', with the Briton reluctant to overstay his welcome.
“I can acknowledge how lucky golfers are to be able to do what they do for so long compared to other athletes," he said.
“So whenever I feel like the time is right, I’ll have no problem moving aside and letting the next generation do their thing.
“I don’t want to be out there embarrassing myself. I’d like to walk away maybe a little before I should.”
Find Out More...