RORY’S TRIBUTE TO WOUNDED TIGER
AS THE most decorated golfer since the Tiger Woods era, and a player who grew up idolising the American, Rory McIlroy is well qualified to comment on the great man’s admission that he may never play again. ‘If this is it, he’s been the greatest that I’ve ever seen,’ said McIlroy. ‘I didn’t see Jack Nicklaus play. 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. ‘I don’t think there’s been a single figure who’s done more to bring different groups into the game — different ethnicities and different age groups. He made golf coo.’ It is clear Tiger’s baton has now passed to McIlroy in terms of worldwide appeal. It was evident yesterday at the first round of the British Masters at Close House, near Newcastle. It is 12 years since they had top-class golf in the North East and thousands turned out for Rory and the rest. On his eighth hole McIlroy had cause to be grateful he was the centre of attention after his tee shot veered way off line. ‘I thought it was going to be like the Open all over again,’ he said, referring to the ball he lost on the 15th hole at Royal Birkdale. More than three of the five minutes allowed had passed when one of the many fans who had joined in the search came up with the magic words: ‘Found it!’ Instead of a near certain double bogey, McIlroy escaped with a par. He finished with a 67, four off the lead posted by South African George Coetzee and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton. ‘It’s just lovely to feel comfortable with my swing again,’ said Hatton after a summer in which he missed five cuts in a row. ‘It was a really good day.’ Tournament host Lee Westwood had a good day, too, with a bogey-free 66, four better than his playing partner Sergio Garcia. Accompanying McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, who had his first tour win in this event two years ago, posted a 66, as did Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell.