RORY TIPS TIGER TO ‘MAKE SOME NOISE’
It WAS the first time in almost three years that Rory McIlroy had played alongside tiger Woods in competition and the Northern Irishman was so impressed he made the bold declaration that everything is in place for a stunning comeback. ‘His body is now allowing him to do what he needs to do and there’s no doubt in my mind that tiger will make a little bit of noise this year,’ said McIlroy. Goodness, he caused quite a commotion for starters on a picture perfect morning along Sunset Boulevard for the first round of the Genesis Open at Riviera yesterday. L.A. has just been voted the worst city for traffic yet again and the tee-time was an unearthly 7.22am — but that did not deter thousands from getting there for the start to welcome tiger for his first appearance here in 12 years. What a dramatic start it was, too. Beginning at the 10th, where McIlroy holed a bunker shot for an unlikely birdie, Woods’ wayward drive at the 11th crashed into a eucalyptus tree — and refused to drop to earth. Because he could not identify it, Woods had to declare the ball lost and trudge back to play three from the tee. A par five with his second ball added up to a double-bogey seven on his scorecard. So began a round that was certainly eventful. Indeed, here in Hollywood, he came up with his own version of the good, the bad and the downright ugly, before signing for a one over par 72. ‘It was all right, overall,’ said Woods. ‘Obviously it wasn’t the best of starts with the tree keeping my ball. I was like, “Oh, man, here we go. I’ve got to somehow turn this thing around”. And I was able to do that.’ All things considered, this was another encouraging day in this comeback that, lest we forget, is still only five rounds old. As for McIlroy, he recovered manfully from a poor front nine to post a respectable 71. In the other star grouping out early, both tommy Fleetwood and local hero Phil Mickelson posted useful scores of 70, while Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell put his recent woes to one side with a promising round of 69. the lead among the morning wave was set by a trio of American journeymen on 67 — tom Hoge, Dominic Bozzelli and Arnold Palmer’s grandson, Sam Saunders.