DORAL, Fla. – As if quitting in the middle of a golf tournament didn’t bring Rory McIlroy enough attention, it might not let up on the golf course.

McIlroy has been going through damage control the last five days after his abrupt departure when he was 7-over par through eight holes and decided to call it quits at the Honda Classic. After an apology to Sports Illustrated, he faced the news media Wednesday and took all the blame.

“I actually think in the long run, Friday will be a blessing in disguise,” he said, referring to the day he withdrew last week. “It was like it just sort of released a valve, and all that pressure that I’ve been putting on myself just went away. And I was like, ‘Just go out and have fun. It’s not life or death out there. It’s only a game.’