Rory McIlroy might be a former champion of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, but as he faced the media Wednesday in advance of the event, the topic swirled back to a controversy the PGA Tour might not shake for some time.
McIlroy was again asked about the recent statements made by Phil Mickelson and the swift condemnation that ensued from players and sponsors of the eight-time major winner.
"Look, we all make mistakes; we all say things we want to take back," said McIlroy, the 2018 winner at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida. "No one is different in that regard. But we should be allowed to make mistakes, and we should be allowed to ask for forgiveness and for people to forgive us and move on.