Rory McIlroy told he should face fine for ripping up green at API

Would it be unreasonable to suggest Rory McIlroy was frustrated with his performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational?

McIlroy came into the signature PGA Tour event off the back of some mediocre results having started his season with a bang in the Middle East.

He had to battle to make the cut and in typical McIlroy fashion he relied on his TaylorMade Qi10 Driver to post a moving day 68 to vault in contention. 

You would have thought McIlroy fancied his chances being only five behind world number one Scottie Scheffler. 

But the Northern Irishman's Sunday at Bay Hill started disastrously and he was a remarkable 5-over par at the turn. 

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His frustration was evident early on and, on the third hole, he let that anger out by taking a small dent out of the fringe of the green. 

That was after his 11-footer for par slid by the right hand side of the cup.

In fairness, the outburst was mild in comparison to his third round hissy fit where was filmed smashing up a tee box marker.

In fairness, McIlroy wasn't the only player to be more than a tad annoyed with their performance. 

Wyndham Clark was also filmed slamming his wedge into the turf after chunking a chip early on in the third round. 

Clark was later accused of playing fast and loose with the rules. He denied cheating. 

Watch the McIlroy clip here:

Becoming a norm now for players to rip up a course out of frustration.



Not a good example for amateurs and courses pic.twitter.com/FdbYNukIwM

— PGA/LIV Hot Takes (@PGALIVHotTakes) March 10, 2024

A number of golf fans weren't pleased after seeing the clip of McIlroy rip up the green. 

"If Mr. Palmer was still alive he'd be getting a strongly worded letter," one wrote on X.

Another added: "Time for penalties for his behaviour. Fines are meaningless for these millionaires."

McIlroy ended up posting a final round of 4-over 76 to finish in a tie for 21st. 

Apart from the washed out AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, McIlroy has now finished in the top-25 in his last three PGA Tour starts. 

Next up for McIlroy is the coveted Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. McIlroy won the Players in 2019.

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