When practicing for Thursday’s opening round of The Players Championship, a college golfer heckled the four-time major winner from behind the 18th tee box at the Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., course, with McIlroy later taking matters into his own hands — literally.

One of the biggest stars in the world of professional golf is Rory McIlroy, a player who has won major championships and been at or near the top of the sport for over a decade. While a place of prominence is coveted by many,