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Rory McIlroy Opens Up On Tiger Woods’ Condition Following Practice Round At Augusta National

Rory McIlroy became the first PGA player to come to the aid of Bryson DeChambeau amid the constant "Brooksy" taunts and fan ejections

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 07: Rory Mcllroy on the green of the 9th hole during round 3 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational PGA Tournament on March 7, 2020, at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire)

Rory McIlroy sure sounds like he thinks Tiger Woods could make his return to competitive golf for The masters next week.

All week, reports have been flying around about Woods showing up to Augusta to see if he can give it a go next week. And just today, sources indicated that his surgically-repaired leg was holding up pretty well after the first practice round.

Rory McIlroy had been in Augusta with Tiger Woods, and shared his feelings that the GOAT looked pretty good out on the course.

“He looked great,” Rory said via TMZ. “But he was still pretty — you know, he was just like, ‘I’m just seeing what’s going to happen here. I’m going to see if I can make it around 18.'”

Rory McIlroy would also talk about how much it would mean for the sport if Tiger Woods is, indeed, back for The Masters just 15 months after his car crash left his future in serious question.

“I think for golf and for the Masters tournament and for everyone, to have Tiger there would be phenomenal,’’ McIlroy said Wednesday at TPC San Antonio, where he is playing in this week’s Valero Texas Open. “I think it just adds to the event. Obviously, it does.

“Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he’s there. I mean, it would be awesome for him to be there. You know, he was there yesterday obviously and he’s trying to see what he can do. Obviously no one knows but him if he can make it around and think if he believes he can compete.’’

When Tiger Woods notched his first win since his spinal fusion surgery in 2018, he was paired with Rory McIlroy for the final round.

“I’ve said this so many times, but from basically March of 2017 fast forward two years and he wins the (2019) Masters and where he was with his body and what he had to do to get back to being somewhat healthy,” McIlroy said.

“And it’s not even being somewhat healthy, it’s also what he has to do before the round and after the round just to get himself ready to go and play golf. The sheer will and perseverance, it is incredible. If he comes back from this again … he likes to prove people wrong, he likes to prove himself wrong, I think.

“Regardless of when he does come back, whether it’s next week or a few weeks, few months down the line, he’s a wonderful addition to the game and the game of golf is better when he’s playing and when he’s playing well.”


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