‘Woods has done so much for the game’
himself. I don’t think there’s a single figure in golf who did more for the game in terms of bringing different groups of people into the game, different ethnicities, different age groups and made golf cool.
“He’s a legend of the game, and if this is it, then everyone should just applaud what a great career he’s had.”
Woods, 41, has played only 15 tournaments since 2015 and is restricted to vice-captain’s duties for the USA at this week’s Presidents Cup.
“I don’t know what my future holds,” he acknowledged.
McIlroy meanwhile posted a respectable opening three-underpar 67 in front of a huge crowd – swollen by a 10,000 ticket giveaway – at the British Masters yesterday.
The world No6 birdied two of his final four holes on the undulating Close House course near Newcastle to stand four shots adrift of joint leaders Tyrell Hatton and George Coetzee. McIlroy has had an injury-plagued season, which he will bring to an early end after next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. “It’s not a bad way to feel,” the 28-yearold said. “You’re not really looking ahead at anything, you’re just concentrating on the round out there and not thinking about anything else. “I’m not under any pressure to perform at all. That’s probably the reason I’ve went out there and shot a decent score.” Amateur Robin Tiger Williams – named after Woods – shot a 71 to put himself in contention to make the weekend. “I’ve never played in front of crowds like that and it was nice to get that rush of adrenaline when they started clapping. It lifted me a little bit,” said Williams, who is Europe’s leading junior. “They kept on encouraging me all the way round, shouting ‘Go on Tiger’. It was fun. I can’t wait for tomorrow to do it again. I just want these hours to fly by.” As one Tiger another rises. fades away,