Rory McIlroy on Jordan Spieth drop debate: "I'm a big believer in karma"

Rory McIlroy claimed he is one of the most 'conscientious golfers out here' as he offered his verdict on his heated debate with Jordan Spieth during the opening round of the Players. 

McIlroy posted an opening round of 7-under 65 at the PGA Tour's flagship event but it wasn't without controversy. 

The Northern Irishman found the water twice with his tee shots on the 18th and seventh holes at TPC Sawgrass. He started his round on the back nine. 

On both occasions, there was confusion as to where McIlroy should have dropped his TP5x. 

The aforementioned Spieth appeared to take issue with McIlroy's drop on the seventh hole. 

Overall, the debate between Spieth, McIlroy and the third player in their group, Viktor Hovland, lasted 12 minutes. 

Both Hovland and Spieth declined to speak to the media after the opening round on Thursday.

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McIlroy did and claimed that he would never play fast and loose with the rules as it would play on his conscience. 

A reporter asked him: "That scene on the seventh, was that necessary in your eyes, or was it all needless?"

McIlroy replied: "I think Jordan was just trying to make sure that I was doing the right thing.

"I mean, I was pretty sure that my ball had crossed where I was sort of dropping it.

"It's so hard, right, because there was no TV evidence. I was adamant.

"But I think, again, he was just trying to make sure that I was going to do the right thing.

"If anything, I was being conservative with it. I think at the end of the day we're all trying to protect ourselves, protect the field, as well.

"I wouldn't say it was needless. I think he was just trying to make sure that what happened was the right thing."

What a sport pic.twitter.com/iFkuzDkHrV

— Kyle Porter (@KylePorterCBS) March 14, 2024

McIlroy ultimately made a double bogey on the seventh hole but he bounced back with a closing birdie. 

The four-time major champ made a bogey on the 18th hole too having found the water with his tee shot. 

Sky Sports' Wayne 'Radar' Riley got involved in the debate over where his ball crossed into the water which reportedly upset Spieth too. 

McIlroy said of that situation: "Again, adamant it crossed, it's just a matter of where it crosses.

"I think this golf course more than any other, it sort of produces those situations a little bit.

"Again, like I feel like I'm one of the most conscientious golfers out here, so if I feel like I've done something wrong, it'll play on my conscience for the rest of the tournament.

"I'm a big believer in karma, and if you do something wrong, I feel like it's going to come around and bite you at some point.

"I obviously don't try to do anything wrong out there, and play by the rules and do the right thing. I feel like I obviously did that those two drops."

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