Rory McIlroy has fond memories of ‘cool’ round with Tiger Woods at Sherwood Country Club

World number five Rory McIlroy has fond memories of Sherwood Country Club in California, which is hosting this year’s Zozo Championship after the event was relocated from its home in Japan.
By Sports Desk
Published 22nd Oct 2020, 13:00 BST
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images).Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images).
Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the fifth tee during the final round of The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images).

McIlroy, who is tuning up for November’s Masters, played his first competitive round with Tiger Woods at the venue and believes the tournament offers him a good chance to taste victory for the first time in over a year.

“I’ve got some good memories here,” McIlroy said. “Playing Tiger’s event back in the day, the first competitive round I ever played with Tiger was here so that was pretty cool.”

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McIlroy finished tied for 21st at last week’s CJ Cup after dropping six shots in his last five holes and is eager to improve on a best finish of tied seventh since the coronavirus shutdown.

“I felt like I made some decent progress last week apart from the last five holes on Sunday,” he added.

“I putted pretty well, my short game was decent. Dial in the approaches and I think I’ll be good to go.

“It’s been a year since I’ve won. (This tournament) is a great opportunity to try to get a win and try to get into contention.

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“I haven’t really been in contention much since coming back from lockdown, so if I can get into contention this week and have a chance to win, I think that will be great for overall confidence and play.”

World number one Dustin Johnson is absent from the 78-strong field this week following a positive test for Covid-19, but McIlroy and Woods will be doing battle with 25 of the top 30 players.

Related topics:Rory McIlroyTiger WoodsJapanWoods

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