Golf: Guthrie grabs lead at Honda Classic

I sincerely apologise to The Honda Classic and PGA Tour for my sudden withdrawal, says McIlroy.

PALM BEACH GARDENS: Well after world number one Rory McIlroy had withdrawn from the Honda Classic during the second round with a toothache, unheralded American Luke Guthrie took the lead of the US PGA event.

Guthrie fired a bogey-free 63, seven-under par, to grab a one-stroke lead over countryman Michael Thompson on nine-under 131 after 36 holes of the $6 million tournament on a day when McIlroy’s walkout stole the major attention.

McIlroy, who missed the cut in Abu Dhabi and was ousted in the first round last week at the World Golf Championships Match Play event in his only prior starts this year, continued to struggle with his new Nike equipment.

“I sincerely apologise to The Honda Classic and PGA Tour for my sudden withdrawal,” said McIlroy. “I have been suffering with a sore wisdom tooth. I was simply unable to concentrate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2013.