“One of the best golf shots I’ve ever seen” – Rory McIlroy recalls an unforgettable memory with Tiger Woods
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Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods
Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy made his first start at the Dubai Desert Classic almost 16 years ago from today in 2006. Meanwhile, he is currently participating in the ongoing edition of this tournament and holds the second spot, behind South Africa’s Justin Harding.
McIlroy, who was 16 at the time, played as an amateur at the Emirates Golf Club. He shot 72-72 to miss the cut by a shot. However, he left the tournament with an unforgettable memory owing to his enthusiastic pursuit of childhood hero Tiger Woods. It was the first time the two had played in the same course, and McIlroy didn’t shy away from taking full advantage of the access.
“I remember I played on Thursday morning, and then on Thursday afternoon Tiger was playing. I came out in the afternoon and took one of the photographer’s cameras off of him and was able to follow inside the ropes, which was pretty cool,” the 32-year-old recalled during an interaction with ESPN several years ago.
“That was my first real taste of Dubai, and I’ve been coming back every year since.”
“Had a better view than most” – McIlroy
The Hollywood-born golfer further went on to recall Woods’ best shot during the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic. Rory even mentioned that he had a better view than most, thanks to getting inside the ropes and having a media credential.
“I had a better view than most, being able to get inside the ropes and have a media credential,” he said. “Tiger to this day, hit a 5-iron out of the right rough on 10 and landed it on the green and stopped it on the green and to this day it was one of the best golf shots I’ve ever seen. Just sticks out in my mind and I was right there for it.”
Notably, Tiger Woods would go on to win that year, beating Proteas’ golfer Ernie Els aka “The Big Easy” in a playoff.
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Sachin Arora
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