It was a Longhorn long face.
The standout University of Texas golfer who was expelled from The Players Championship this week for heckling Irish competitor Rory McIlroy has apologized.
“Just like 2011 at Augusta,” Justin Potter, 20, blurted after McIlroy plopped a practice shot into the drink on Tuesday.
The jab alluded to McIlroy’s infamous Masters meltdown more than a decade ago.
The irate Irishman, 35, walked over to Potter, took his phone, and had him kicked out of the day’s action.
Potter, who was in town for the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational that he eventually won, issued a red-faced – or perhaps burnt orange — apology for the incident.
“Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it,” Potter said, according to Brentley Romine of GolfChannel.com. “I apologize for it. That’s about all that needs to be said. … It’s just a good learning experience.”
Known for his short fuse, McIlroy was in no mood to discuss the unseemly exchange after a reporter broached the issue on Thursday.
“Rory, can I ask you about the shenanigans with that kid on 17 in practice?” the scribe inquired.
“No, you can’t,” McIlroy replied with a smile.
Asked why the topic was forbidden, McIlroy remained terse. “Because I don’t want you to.”
The reporter kept on, prompting the former world number one to change the subject.
“I’m really happy that I shot 67 today,” he said.
