Woods tied for lead but McIlroy struggles again
Source: Agencies |
March 9, 2013, Saturday
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TIGER Woods was on his game, and so were most of the world best golfers on Thursday in the first round of the Cadillac Championship, with the notable exception of No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
Woods made nine birdies on the Blue Monster at Doral for a 6-under 66 that put him in a five-way share of the lead with Masters champion Bubba Watson, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Fredrick Jacobson.
This World Golf Championship lived up to its name with Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan among the big names one shot behind.
But it was another rough day for McIlroy, who hit only three fairways and made six bogeys that kept him at par or worse on a perfect day for scoring. Despite making a 15-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole, and lacing a 5-iron over the water for another eagle attempt on the par-5 eighth that narrowly missed, the best he could manage was a 73.
McIlroy has yet to break par this year. "It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest," McIlroy said. "This is a work in progress and I'm working at it and I'm staying patient."
Coming off a pedestrian performance a week ago at the Honda Classic, Woods looked sharp in most aspects of his game, except for a few lapses with his chipping. He wasted two early birdies with a three-putt bogey on the 13th hole and a delicate flop shot that he mishit on the 14th, leading to another bogey. His chip up the slope on the third didn't reach the green for another bogey.
He holed two long birdie putts, including a 40 footer on the par-3 fourth hole, and missed four chances inside 15 feet. His final birdie was on the par-5 eighth. "It was certainly a day that could have been a little lower," said Woods.
Just about everyone could say that in these conditions.
Garcia and McDowell were in the same group. Not only did they have bogey-free rounds, both birdied the same four holes. Jacobson made two eagles in a span of three holes, both times hitting a 5-wood onto the green to just over 12 feet.
McIlroy appears to be struggling with a change of equipment following his Nike sponsorship and backing up a big year that made him No. 1 in the world. It all got the best of him last week at the Honda Classic, when he walked off the course midway through the second round.
McIlroy apologized during a press conference on Wednesday, said it would never happen again and wanted to get back to being happy on the golf course. There weren't many smiles, though he often chatted with Woods as they walked down the fairway.
Woods made nine birdies on the Blue Monster at Doral for a 6-under 66 that put him in a five-way share of the lead with Masters champion Bubba Watson, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Fredrick Jacobson.
This World Golf Championship lived up to its name with Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan among the big names one shot behind.
But it was another rough day for McIlroy, who hit only three fairways and made six bogeys that kept him at par or worse on a perfect day for scoring. Despite making a 15-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole, and lacing a 5-iron over the water for another eagle attempt on the par-5 eighth that narrowly missed, the best he could manage was a 73.
McIlroy has yet to break par this year. "It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest," McIlroy said. "This is a work in progress and I'm working at it and I'm staying patient."
Coming off a pedestrian performance a week ago at the Honda Classic, Woods looked sharp in most aspects of his game, except for a few lapses with his chipping. He wasted two early birdies with a three-putt bogey on the 13th hole and a delicate flop shot that he mishit on the 14th, leading to another bogey. His chip up the slope on the third didn't reach the green for another bogey.
He holed two long birdie putts, including a 40 footer on the par-3 fourth hole, and missed four chances inside 15 feet. His final birdie was on the par-5 eighth. "It was certainly a day that could have been a little lower," said Woods.
Just about everyone could say that in these conditions.
Garcia and McDowell were in the same group. Not only did they have bogey-free rounds, both birdied the same four holes. Jacobson made two eagles in a span of three holes, both times hitting a 5-wood onto the green to just over 12 feet.
McIlroy appears to be struggling with a change of equipment following his Nike sponsorship and backing up a big year that made him No. 1 in the world. It all got the best of him last week at the Honda Classic, when he walked off the course midway through the second round.
McIlroy apologized during a press conference on Wednesday, said it would never happen again and wanted to get back to being happy on the golf course. There weren't many smiles, though he often chatted with Woods as they walked down the fairway.
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