Earlier this year, Rory McIlroy tossed a club into the lake at Trump Doral during the WGC-Cadillac Championship. Besides not being able to use his 3-iron for the rest of the round, that toss could cost him thousands of dollars in the form of a fine from the PGA Tour.
The media-savvy McIlroy quickly covered his steps, though, reducing his fine with a simple apology during his post-round interview. “What happened after the second shot on 8, I wouldn’t encourage anyone to do,” McIlroy said that day. “Especially if there’s kids watching at home. First of all, it’s expensive and second of all, you shouldn’t do it.”
That move apparently saved him $20,000. “The fine was reduced from $25,000 to $5,000 because I said I was sorry on the TV interview afterwards,” McIlroy said recently.
Fine amounts are not disclosed publicly, per PGA Tour standard, but via one of its biggest stars, the word is now out: Throw a club and save yourself with a quick apology.
