After missing the short grass again off the tee, McIlroy’s ball settled down in the pine straw to the right of the fairway. With water all down the left side, and plenty of trees in his way, it looked like McIlroy was destined for a bogey — or worse.

Fields indicated that Potter has written letters of apology to several people: McIlroy; PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan; Brendan von Doehren, the director of PGA Tour University; and Scott Schroeder, men's golf coach at the University of North Florida. Fields would not disclose to Golf.com whether Potter was facing any disciplinary action.

Rory McIlroy is near the top of the PLAYERS Championship, but he had to earn his 5-under 67 the hard way as his struggles off the tee continue.