[Photo: Getty images]
Rory McIlroy has urged the need for players to balance behaviour on the PGA Tour after a series of temper tantrums have gone viral this year.
Outbursts were notable at last week’s Valspar Championship.
Patton Kizzire dropped-kicked his putter while Canadian Adam Hadwin smashed a sprinkler before it erupted with water. Popular Californian Sahith Theegala was even seen throwing a club.
Player outbursts have seemingly increased in frequency and four-time major winner McIlroy – who has had his own bouts of on-course frustration – was asked about it ahead of this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open.
“It can be relatable,” McIlroy said. “But at the same time you want to try to set a proper example.
“Like, you don’t want ten-year-old kids punting their putters across the green every time they miss a putt. But at the same time it shows that we are human, it shows the human side to ourselves.
“At the same time, we have a responsibility to set an example, and golf is a lot about the etiquette of the game and doing right thing. There’s a balance to be struck there.”
Three-time PGA Tour winner Kizzire took to social media to issue an apology earlier this week for his extraordinary outburst at the Valspar.
“I wasn’t feeling well, and I certainly lost my cool,” said Kizzire, who withdrew shortly after the incident.
“It wasn’t my putter’s fault; I just lost my cool and it’s unacceptable. I’m looking forward to being a better version of myself and I appreciate you guys understanding.”
