Rory McIlroy swiftly shut down a reporter looking to delve into the recent phone-snatching incident during a practice round preceding The Players Championship. Kicking off Thursday's action, McIlroy had an electrifying start in Ponte Vedra, Florida, carding an impressive 67 – five-under par. As he heads into the second round just one shot behind the leader, the Northern Irishman aims to clinch the title, which would be his first since his 2019 triumph at this tournament. Post-round, McIlroy was keen to focus on his performance rather than the startling moment earlier in the week, reports the Mirror US. In a peculiar turn of events, he took a mobile phone from a heckling University of Texas player during one of his practice sessions. Just days prior, Luke Potter celebrated winning the Hayt Collegiate Tournament with the Longhorns at Sawgrass Country Club on Monday. However, things soured on Tuesday while Potter observed PGA Tour professionals warming up. At the 18th hole, McIlroy’s drive ended up in the water, prompting Potter to taunt him about a similar wayward shot from the 2011 Masters, a low point in McIlroy's career when he missed out on the green jacket after a final-round meltdown. Captured on video, after Potter's jibe, McIlroy approached and asked, "Can I see your phone?" then proceeded to take the phone and walk away. A visibly stunned Potter stood bewildered, his outstretched hand hanging in the air, as Rory McIlroy fiddled with the golfing range finder before carrying it off down the course. The incident, which left onlookers in shock, swiftly resulted in Potter's removal from the course; he later had his mobile phone returned. After his strong start with a first-round 67, when McIlroy was queried about discussing the situation, his response was clear: "No, you can't." Pressed for a reason, he chuckled and retorted: "Because I don't want you to." When asked whether he was aware that the heckler was a collegiate golfer, McIlroy simply chose to express his contentment with the day's play, stating: "I'm really happy that I shot 67 today." PGA Tour regulations are strict regarding audience behaviour, decreeing the expulsion of any spectator engaging in actions deemed as "rude, vulgar or other inappropriate comments or gestures." Potter, who ranks 60th in the world among amateur golfers, expressed remorse post-ejection from the tournament grounds. . "Look, I just made a mistake, and I take ownership for it," Potter confessed to GOLF.com. "I apologize for it. That's about all that needs to be said... It's just a good learning experience." Texas coach John Fields revealed that Potter has penned letters of apology to numerous individuals, including McIlroy himself, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, the head of PGA Tour University, and the coach from North Florida, which hosted the event. Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox