Rory McIlroy has admitted a troublesome wisdom tooth was not the sole reason for abandoning the Honda Classic last Friday. McIlroy admitted he “saw red” during last Friday’s round at TPC National and walked off the course without properly thinking it through.

"Everyone has seen what I've said and in the aftermath.

"I realised it was not the right thing to do. No matter how bad I was playing, I should have stayed out and tried.

"At that point I was all over the place and saw red and it was a mistake. Everyone makes them and I am learning from them. From my point of view, other people have the pleasure of making mistakes in private. Mine are in the public eye.

"It is over now and won't happen again.

McIlroy gave two explanation for this withdrawal last Friday, first claiming he was ‘in a bad place mentally’, before releasing a statement saying he had abandoned the round due to intense pain from a troublesome wisdom tooth.

"Both (statements) were true. I was not in a good place with my golf game, mentally I was all over the place but at the same time I have been struggling with the wisdom tooth. I am taking medication until I get home to Northern Ireland. It was bothering me, but probably not enough to make me quit.

The world number one believes his walk off could serve as a valuable pressure release, and admitted the pressure surrounding him has become hard to deal with in recent weeks. McIlroy was speaking at a press conference before the Cadillac Championship, which is to be held this weekend in Florida.

"It was the build-up of everything. I have been working hard and not getting much out of it. That was frustrating. It was the build-up of expectations of the great end to last year, not being able to do it and it got to me.

"I wanted to quit a few times as a teenager. I started to play golf because I love it. It has been my life, for my life. I have got to remember that.

"It will hopefully be a blessing in disguise. It just released the valve and I will now look to go out and enjoy it."