‘Two Completely Different People’: Rory McIlroy Gets Candid About Tiger Woods

Playing with golf legends like Tiger Woods every player’s dream. But only a few professionals have gone on to fulfill it. Rory McIlroy is among those lucky professionals who could achieve this feat. Moreover, the Northern Irishman recently spoke about the same while revealing how playing a practice round with arguably the best golfer of all time is different.

McIlroy spoke candidly about the 15-time major championship winner on July 11. He talked about the practice round. Both professionals played ahead of the 150 Open Championship in a practice session at Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland just after the 2022 JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor. Moreover, the 33-year-old professional talked about how Woods differs while playing an event and a practice round.

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At the same time, the four-time major championship winner also talked about how Woods loves to play golf and how he approaches a particular golf shot. Not to forget, Tiger is teeing up this week at the 150 Open Championship at the home of golf in St. Andrews. Not to forget, both players have played various events together and share a special bond on and off the golf course.

Rory McIlroy on how it’s different with playing Tiger Woods

McIlroy said, “Tiger in the heat of battle and Tiger just messing around at Ballybunion is two completely different people. Going back to even his love for the game, his love of the intricacies of how to play the game of golf. The way he sees shots, the way he gets lost in the detail of how to play golf.”

He added, “He doesn’t just love golf, but he loves the details of how to play certain shots and get better. He’s so into that stuff. I think that’s what’s so cool. Twenty-five years into his career, he still loves that part of the game.” Moreover, Rory’s words prove the amount of affection Woods still has for golf. At the same time, it also shows how he has two different mindsets towards a practice round and while playing an event.

McIlroy and his performance at the 2022 JP McManus Pro-Am

The four-time major championship winner played brilliantly at Adare Manor. He hit some breathtaking golf shots off-the-tee and hit some crisp iron shots too. Moreover, McIlroy ended the event with an overall score of five-under-par. As a result, he finished in tied sixth position on the leaderboard after the final round.

Rory carded a final round of four-under-par, 68 at a tough and demanding golf course. His final round of 68 included one bogey, one birdie, one eagle, and six pars on the opening nine holes. As a result, McIlroy moved out in two-under-par, 34. He made two birdies, one eagle, and a double-bogey on the back nine to end his final round.

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