Tiger Woods will 'surprise us all' at Masters – McIlroy
Woods will compete in Augusta on Thursday, but few commentators expect the fading former champion to be a contender
Rory McIlroy has welcomed the news that Tiger Woods will be appearing in this year's Masters tournament and believes the former world number one can "surprise us all".
Woods has endured a miserable start to 2015, dropping outside the top 100 rankings for the first time in nearly 20 years after shooting a career-worst 82 at the Phoenix Open in February. For the past fortnight, the golf world has waited to discover if the 39-year-old would show up at Augusta, Georgia, on Thursday for the first Major of the year, and the waiting ended over the Easter period with confirmation that he will play at the Masters.
"I've worked a lot on my game and I'm looking forward to competing," wrote Woods on his website. "I'm excited to get to Augusta and I appreciate everyone's support.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Few pundits expect Woods to seriously challenge for the title he's won four times in the past, but McIlroy says Woods’ mere presence will be good for the game – and he certainly isn't writing off his rival's chances.
"Golf is always that bit more exciting with Tiger in the field," declared the Northern Irishman. "It would be foolish to rule him out as a contender – he has got that remarkable ability to surprise us all."
Woods arrived at Augusta on Monday and spent the afternoon enjoying a practice round in the company of fellow US golf pro Mark O'Meara.
"I felt good and it was nice to get out here," Woods said later. "The last two months has been a process for me but I'm in a good place now."
If Woods makes the cut at Augusta it would be an achievement given his lack of competitive golf in the last four months, but the fact he's even competing could work out to McIlroy's advantage. Former Ryder Cup captain turned Sky Sports commentator Paul McGinley reckons Woods' presence "will help take the spotlight off the Ulsterman" as he bids to win his first Masters.
McIlroy, 25, has won the PGA Championship, US Open and Open in the last four years, and he famously led the Augusta field going into the final round in 2011 before crumbling on the final day. Last year, he tied for eighth – his best showing at the Masters – and McGinley says the young golfer has improved since then.
"Certainly he is a far more equipped and better golfer, and more focused golfer than he was 12 months ago," explained McGinley. "He's getting there, he knows he's not the finished article and he knows there are certain conditions he still needs to prove himself in, to be considered one of the real greats of the game."
To do that McIlroy must win at least another half a dozen Majors before he can be compared to the likes of Woods (14 Major victories) and the incomparable Jack Nicklaus (18 victories).
McIlroy has got time on his side given his young age, but McGinley says it's staying focused that will be tough. "The biggest challenge Rory has got is keeping the fire lit," he said. "Keeping the fire lit in his hear – that is what made Tiger phenomenal [and] at the top for as long as he was."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Augusta Masters: the pinnacle of sport
In the Spotlight The most prestigious of golf's four majors is a unique exercise in the pantheon of sports
By Farhad Heydari Published
-
PGA Tour Championship: Rory McIlroy’s ‘comeback of comebacks’ in Atlanta
feature Northern Irishman’s exploits are overshadowed by golf’s civil war
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tiger Woods pulls out of PGA Championship
Speed Read
By Brigid Kennedy Published
-
Tiger Woods at the Masters: golf’s ‘greatest ever comeback’ part two?
Under the Radar The 15-time major champion’s practice round at Augusta fuels speculation of a sensational return
By Mike Starling Published
-
The biggest sports scandals of the 21st century
In Depth Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and football’s governing body have all shocked the world
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tiger Woods targets the 150th Open: ‘I would love to play at St Andrews’
feature But the American admits a return to golf full-time is not a ‘realistic expectation’
By Mike Starling Published
-
‘Rory McIlroy showed what the Ryder Cup really means’
feature It was an emotional week for the Northern Irishman as Europe lost heavily to the USA
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Rory McIlroy showed what the Ryder Cup really means’
feature It was an emotional week for the Northern Irishman as Europe lost heavily to the USA
By The Week Staff Published