McIlroy, Woods paired at Genesis Open
Cape Town – Tiger Woods is set to return to action at this week’s Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club, and he’ll have Rory McIlroy for company during the first two rounds.
The long-running PGA Tour event has decided to group Woods and McIlroy together for the second year running, making it the eighth time in Tour history the two golfers will tee it up alongside each other.
Interestingly, in the 13 times they’ve started together, Woods has outscored McIlroy on six occasions, while McIlroy has earned bragging rights five times – including at last year’s Genesis Open when he opened with rounds of 71 and 69 and Woods posted rounds of 72 and 76.
On the other two occasions they matched each other stroke for stroke.
Being paired with Woods means a very different day at the office for any player, as McIlroy pointed out ahead of last year’s Genesis Open.
“I would not have minded a nice quiet couple of days, Thursday, Friday, but no, no, it’s totally fine playing with Tiger,” he said.
“Like anytime you have a chance to play in a group like that, you sort of relish it and embrace it. I’m obviously looking forward to the next couple of days.”
Joining Woods and McIlroy for the ride at Riviera is none other than world No 4 Justin Thomas.
