Paul McGinley: ‘Tiger’s return will bring out the best in Rory’

Paul McGinley believes Tiger Woods’ return to the field this week at the Memorial will inspire World No 1 Rory McIlroy, who has not had a top 10 finish since the PGA Tour restarted.
McIlroy’s results since the tour’s resumption have not been able to match those prior to the sport locking down in March, when an incredible run of consistency propelled him back to the top of the world rankings.
“He was flying just before the lockdown happened,” McGinley said. “Since he’s come back – whether it’s the lack of atmosphere, whether he’s lost a bit of momentum by not being able to practice a lot during the lockdown – I’m not so sure. He certainly doesn’t have the same bite. We haven’t seen it so far.”
But McGinley reckons McIlroy is a man for the big occasion, and believes Woods’ return at Muirfield Village this week is going to help bring out the best in the Northern Irishman.
“I think the fact that Woods is in the field this week will bring a little more of an edge to him competitively, and I think that’s what we’re missing,” he added. “We’re not seeing the swing has gone poor or the putting has gone poor – he just doesn’t seem to have the edge mentally.
“[But] I think that’s when we see McIlroy at his best, when he’s got the bit between the teeth, when he’s got something to prove, when he’s been discounted.
“We’re coming into some really big events that they’re all going to be playing. That’s why we’re seeing Tiger Woods come out of hibernation.”
Woods and McIlroy will play the first two rounds of the Memorial together along with former World No 1 Brooks Koepka.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy through in Austin after rolling back years to outwit Keegan Bradley
McIlroy eased to a 3&2 victory to win group three with a 100 per cent record.
-
News
Shane Lowry resists fightback to knock Jordan Spieth out of WGC-Dell Match Play
Lowry had already been eliminated following defeats by Taylor Montgomery and Mackenzie Hughes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy’s strong finish makes it two wins from two in WGC-Dell Match Play
McIlroy made it two wins out of two in sensational style.
-
News
Jon Rahm stays in WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play hunt as Shane Lowry exits
The former US Open champion bounced back to beat Keith Mitchell.
-
News
Jon Rahm claims convincing victory on day two of WGC-Dell Match Play
The Spaniard has won three strokeplay events on the PGA Tour this season.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy has ‘one eye on Augusta’ as big names suffer defeats in Austin
McIlroy had led from start to finish to beat Scott Stallings 3&1.
-
PGA Tour
Matt Fitzpatrick suffers heavy defeat in WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play opener
Fitzpatrick is the top seed in group 11 at Austin Country Club.
-
PGA Tour
Rory McIlroy backs ‘unpopular’ shorter ball proposal with majors on his mind
The Northern Irishman said he could choose to play it in PGA Tour tournaments even if not adopted on the US circuit.
-
PGA Tour
Scottie Sheffler ‘loves’ match play format ahead of title defence in Austin
The top seed takes on Tom Kim, Alex Noren and Davis Riley in group one this week.
-
PGA Tour
Sam Burns hoping to return to form as he bids for Valspar Championship hat-trick
Burns has posted just one top-10 finish so far this season