McIlroy quits Honda Classic after dropping eight photos

Hand BEACH GARDENS, Florida (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy's discouraging begin to the growing season took an unexpected turn for the worst when he withdrew from the Honda Classic on Friday citing a toothache after dropping eight images in his first eight holes. Before driving away from the class, defending champion McIlroy reporters: "I am not in an excellent place psychologically. I can not really say much, guys. I am just in a negative place mentally." In a released later, the world number one said he'd been suffering with severe intelligence tooth pain. "It began bothering me again last night," said McIlroy. "It was very unpleasant again this morning, and I was simply unable to concentrate. It absolutely was really worrying me and had begun to affect my playing partners." McIlroy shot an 70 in Thursday's opening round at PGA National but had a headache start Friday that included a, a and two bogeys. After eating a meal, he hit his approach shot into the water on the 18th, his ninth pit of your day, and quickly walked off the program along with his coach and caddie. McIlroy would most likely have missed the cut and his decision to leave was criticized by playing companion Ernie Els who said: "I am an excellent lover of Rory's but I actually do not believe was the proper thing to do." Els later said McIlroy deserved credit for playing through pain while denying that the 23-year-old Northern Irishman's vexation was affecting his partners. "All credit to him but no. I've played like this before. It's embarrassing. You don't wish to be out there while you feel like, get me out here," explained the South African, the existing British Open champion. 'REGRET DECISION' McIlroy has played only four full professional rounds in three months, lacking the cut in the Abu Dhabi Championship in January and enduring a surprise first-round exit in the WGC-Accenture World Match Play Championship last week in Arizona. In January, his club brand was switched by the 23-year-old from Titleist to Nike in a profitable offer claimed to be worth up to $250 million over 10 years. Former world number one Nick Faldo termed the change in club producers "dangerous" and the concerns have barely been eased provided the two-times main winner's slow start to the season. Prior the this week's tournament, McIlroy said he was still in "an adjustment period" but pressured he was more concerned with his swing than the experience of new clubs. Starting play on the 10th hole, McIlroy fought early. His approach was nearly hit by him to the par-four 11th hole into the water before damaging through the green and creating a double-bogey. Two holes later, he made a after to set up and being driving to the right. He missed a six-footer to truly save par. On the par-four 16th, McIlroy hit his tee shot into the water, got a drop, then hit still another into the water before carding a triple-bogey seven. A three-putt on the par-three 17th left him seven-over par after eight holes. "I came here with every intention of defending my Honda Classic subject. I actually felt like I was rounding a corner," said McIlroy, although my results haven't unmasked it. "This is one of the best tournaments of the year and I regret having to actually choose to withdraw, but it was one I had to make." (Extra reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue)