VIDEO: Golfer Rory McIlroy quits Honda Classic, blames tooth pain

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Rory McIlroy, the best ranked golfer in the world and the defending champion of this week's Honda Classic, walked right out of the tournament after hitting his third ball into the water, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

McIlroy later released a statement defending his abrupt departure, saying he had a painful wisdom tooth.

"[The tooth] began bothering me again last night, so I relieved it with Advil. It was very painful again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It was really bothering me and had begun to affect my playing partners," he said.

"I'm a great fan of Rory's, but I don't think that was the right thing to do," golfer Ernie Els told the Wall Street Journal.

"Apologies to all at the Honda," McIllroy said later on Twitter. "A tough day made impossible by severe tooth pain. Was desperate to defend title but couldn't play on. Gutted."

Apologies to all at the Honda. A tough day made impossible by severe tooth pain. Was desperate to defend title but couldn't play on. Gutted

— Rory Mcilroy (@McIlroyRory) March 1, 2013

McIlroy's performance has seemed erratic this season, leading golf fans to speculate whether new golf clubs or a new girlfriend contributed to his poor play at the Honda Classic. Either way, social media users had a good time with "toothgate."

It's quite clear Rory McIlroy is telling the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth! #isgolfasport #fb

— Stuart Dunlop (@sdunlop) March 1, 2013

In all seriousness, if Rory isn't "in a great place mentally", should he really be driving?

— Adam Fonseca (@ChicagoDuffer) March 1, 2013

I usually save wisdom tooth pain for Thursday and Friday's first and second round of March Madness, don't you? #Rory #WDing

— Adam Schupak (@GolfweekSchupak) March 1, 2013

Coming soon for 2014: Nike Covert Toothbrush. #JustBrushIt

— Adam Fonseca (@ChicagoDuffer) March 1, 2013