PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Rory McIlroy's rough start to the year has taken a bad turn. He withdrew from the Honda Classic on Friday without finishing nine holes.
McIlroy already was 7-over for eight holes at PGA National and certain to miss another cut. He hit his second shot into the water on the par-5 18th and was done for the week. He told reporters as he walked to the parking lot that he was not in a good place mentally.
McIlroy, who signed a new equipment deal with Nike, began the year by missing the cut at Abu Dhabi. After a four-week break, he lost in the opening round of the Match Play Championship, and then made only two birdies in the 27 holes he played in the Honda Classic.
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