McILROY’S GLOWING TRIBUTE TO TIGER

AS the most decorated golfer to emerge since the era of Tiger Woods, and a man who grew up idolising the American, who better than Rory McIlroy to comment on the sad admission from Tiger himself that we may never see him play again. ‘If this is it, he has been the greatest player I’ve ever seen,’ said McIlroy. ‘I didn’t see Jack Nicklaus play and I know he has a better record, but I don’t know if he played better golf. ‘If he never comes back, Tiger has nothing to prove to anyone. He can walk away knowing he has done wonders for this game. I don’t think there’s been a single figure who’s done more in terms of bringing different groups of people into the game, different ethnicities and different age groups. He made golf cool when it really needed an injection of something. If this is it, everyone should just applaud what a great career he’s had.’ Whether Tiger returns or not, it’s clear that the baton has now passed to the Northern Irishman in terms of a similar worldwide appeal. He was the star attraction in the first round of the British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle, yesterday. It has been 12 years since they have had top-class golf in the North East of England and the thousands who turned up to watch Rory and the rest play revelled in the sunshine. McIlroy posted a three-under par 67, which left him four off the lead posted by South African George Coetzee and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton. Tournament host Lee Westwood also had a good day with a bogey-free 66, four shots better than his playing partner Sergio Garcia. Richie Ramsay was the leading Scot after carding a fine round of 67, while Scott Jamieson and Stephen Gallacher shot 68 and 69 respectively. Russell Knox had a day to forget, however, with a four-over 74.