World No. 2 Rory McIlroy says he will feel right at home playing alongside Americans Keegan Bradley and Dustin Johnson over the opening two rounds of the $6.2m Shell Houston Open.
The trio will tee off 12.50pm Thursday and then at 7.50am local time Friday.
“It’s a great draw as I know Keegan and Dustin really well and besides we’re all members at the Bears Club, so I’m going to feel right at home playing alongside them,” said McIlroy.
McIlroy attended a press conference early Tuesday morning before taking to the Redstone course and playing a practice round in the company of good friend and fellow Irishman Shane Lowry. (See earlier story for outcome of their match)
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy with a group of fans during a Tuesday practice round at the Redstone Club. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
On Monday, McIlroy’s 208-day reign as World No. 1 ended when Woods captured a record-equalling eighth PGA Tour event in winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
If McIlroy wins this week he will pocket a prize cheque for $1.08m and also knock Woods off and go back to World No. 1.
However McIlroy played down the importance of heading to next month’s Major as the best ranked player in the world.
“Being No. 1 in the world is sort of a by-product of playing well and winning golf tournaments,” he said.
“Tiger’s done that more than anyone this year and if he can take care of that, then that takes care of itself.
“So, it’s always nice to say that you’re on top of the world and top of the rankings but if you play the golf that you want to and win the tournaments that you want to, then that takes care of itself.
“So it doesn’t really bother me. I want to get back to getting into contention in tournaments and trying to win.
“This is a good week to try and achieve that and have a chance what with the Masters coming up, but really I am here in Houston just really focussed on this week and trying to play well here.”
Last Friday, McIlroy was spotted in shorts at the Miami Municipal Golf Course and confirming he took his own golf balls in working on his game at the club’s practice range.
“It was fine as I brought my own balls with me,” said McIlroy.
“They collected them and they did the same for me the next day. It was nice. The turf was okay. People left me alone. It was fine. It was close to Key Biscayne, and close to the tennis and it meant I didn’t have to drive too far.
“I got to know the people around the club and asked them if it was okay. Even though it’s a public golf course, of course it’s going to be okay. It was totally fine and people left me alone and it was good.”
