Rory McIlroy

After an average day off the tee on Thursday at the Genesis Invitational, Rory McIlroy made a surprising gear switch and saw fast results.

Not bad, but certainly not at the level that got McIlroy to 3rd on Tour in that same category last season. “I’m going to go work on the range,” he told reporters. The highlight reel certainly enjoyed the change, too. He has an extensive club-fitting and -building background with more than 20 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. In a field of 129, the World No. 2 ranked just 39th in strokes gained: off the tee.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry moved into contention for the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, but Tiger Woods was teetering on the cut line and ...

Like Woods, Rory McIlroy also struggled on the greens, but he remained on course to take back the world number one ranking from Scottie Scheffler when he looked to the heavens after making a 15-footer for birdie at the last for a “pedestrian” two-under 69. It was not intended to be that way. It was just we play pranks on one another all the time and virally I think this did not come across that way, but between us it was, it’s different.”

Tiger Woods had plenty of trash talk after outdriving Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas at the Genesis Invitational.

Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. Yeah, I certainly didn't want to be the only one not to make a birdie on 18, so that was a nice putt to hole.” He's nervous as can be because he didn't want to be the one to miss on 18,” said Woods. The ebb and flow of needling each other, encouraging each other and telling stories. Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. Because I hadn't been out here so I've missed some of the things that have transpired on Tour, which is kind of fun.” “I'm going to go work on the range,” said McIlroy when asked about being outdriven. “I didn't want to be the idiot host to miss it right in front of everybody after I just went birdie-birdie. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. [A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)](opens in new tab) McIlroy also felt the pressure on 18 after watching both Woods and Thomas make birdie putts, not wanting to be the only one of the trio to miss. It was an unusual experience for McIlroy to both be outdriven off the tee and also to not be the star attraction in the group, as

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were grouped together for the opening two rounds of the Genesis Invitational.

Woods is looking to build up some momentum ahead of The Masters in April and reports have suggested he could take to the field at The Players Championship next month. And Woods was in bullish mood at the start of the week, insisting he is in it to win it. But any doubts were soon answered in the opening round on Thursday with Woods grouped with both McIlroy and Justin Thomas.

Rory McIlroy came out on top in the so-called super group in the first round of the Genesis Invitational. The 33-year-old shot a four-under-par round of 67 ...

[playing partner’s antics](https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/tiger-woods-in-bizarre-prank-on-justin-thomas), but certainly turned some heads. [• The cast of Happy Gilmore: where are they now](https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/the-cast-of-happy-gilmore-where-are-they-now) [• Scottish Golf set to increase affiliation fees](https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/scottish-golf-set-to-increase-affiliation-fee-to-cover-costs) [• Scheffler regains world No.1 spot](https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/scottie-scheffler-back-to-world-no-1-with-phoenix-win) [Nike's website](https://www.nike.com/gb/t/dri-fit-victory-long-sleeve-golf-polo-t6prm4/DN2344-419), the Nike dry victory solid long sleeve golf polo shirt, which is available in blue, white and black, is currently available for £44.95. "When it's just the green between you and par, you want to keep your cool as you go for the win," the description of the product says. The shirt was ideal for the cool conditions the players faced at a breezy Riviera Country Club, and you too can add one to your wardrobe.

Tiger Woods apologised for his “tampon” prank with Justin Thomas after a third-round 74 left him sweating on the cut line in the Genesis Invitational at ...

Like Woods, Rory McIlroy also struggled on the greens and looked to the heavens after making a 15-footer at the last for a “pedestrian” two-under 69 to go into the weekend just three shots behind clubhouse leader Keith Mitchell, who shot 69 lead by a shot from Collin Morikawa on nine-under. It was not intended to be that way. “Yeah, it was supposed to be all fun and games and obviously it hasn’t turned out that way,” said Woods, who was on the one-over-par cut line after a final-hole bogey.

Rory McIlroy took a back seat to Tiger Woods as the headliner at the Genesis Invitational.

He's nervous as can be because he didn't want to be the one to miss on 18. I didn't want to be the idiot host to miss it right in front of everybody after I just went birdie-birdie… The trio competing against each other was a treat to watch for the fans at Riviera. Yeah, I certainly didn't want to be the only one not to make a birdie on 18, so that was a nice putt to hole.” “I'm going to go work on the range. The Irishman was more than happy to make way for the legendary golfer’s popularity.

McIlroy continued his mission to replace Scottie Scheffler at the head of the rankings to sit at six-under.

Rahm was among the late starters at Riveira. He went on to become chief referee in 1989 and gave perhaps his most famous ruling to Seve Ballesteros on the final day of the 1994 season at the Volvo Masters, with Ballesteros unsuccessfully seeking relief from a hole he said was caused by a burrowing animal. McIlroy's playing partners Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas dropped back slightly, Thomas recording a 73 to finish at one-under overall, while Woods bogeyed three of his final four holes to shoot a three-over 74, leaving him in danger of missing the cut.

Rory McIlroy switched drivers before Friday's second round of the Genesis Invitational, and he drove it better, though his putter limited him in a 2-under ...

“I didn't play the par-5s as well today. He had just two birdies until the final hole, the par-4 ninth, thanks to an uncooperative putter and three pars on each of the par-5s. “I’m going to go work on the range,” McIlroy said Thursday evening.