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.

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 has been known to take some sharp U-turns on his opinions over the last few years, particularly as it relates to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. He was willing to state another position Wednesday as strong as any. He is not playing the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.