Rory McIlroy continues to sit on the front page of the leaderboard, but TPC Sawgrass still finds ways to put its claws into him at The PLAYERS Championship.

Rory McIlroy has refused to comment on being heckled by a top US college golfer during a practice round at the Players Championship. The world number two declined to discuss the matter with reporters after his opening round.

A Texas Longhorns golfer attending a practice round at The Players was removed following an incident with Rory McIlroy.

But there was Scottie Scheffler (No. 1), Rory McIlroy (No. 2) and Xander Schauffele (No. 3) standing on a tee box together in the second round of The Players Championship, giving the thousands of fans surrounding them at 17 a glimpse of what golf should be on a week-in-week-out basis.

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.

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.

The University of Texas golfer was allegedly seen having his phone taken by McIlroy as he walked off the tee box

Lucas Glover, J.J. Spaun and Camilo Villegas each shot 6-under 66, but the top of the leaderboard is jammed after Thursday.

Rory McIlroy stays in the hunt for Players Championship glory despite scrappy finish - Mcllroy bogeyed two of his last four holes to card a 68 but is near the top of the leaderboard