Six years ago Rory McIlroy borrowed an official photographer’s long lens to walk inside the ropes so he could get close to boyhood idol Tiger Woods.
In a scenario highlighting McIlroy’s current stature in the game, the reigning U.S. Open champion found himself sharing the same stage as Woods in a promotional photo shoot ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
McIlroy and Woods later played a nine-hole practice round together over the inward half of this week’s National Club course host venue.
And while the duo were out on the course organisers released the opening two round draw with McIlroy and Woods grouped together for only the second occasion ever.
That was in December 2010 when McIlroy played the second round of the Woods hosted Chevron Challenge in the American’s company but with the 14-time Major winning Woods carding a 66 to McIlroy’s 70.
McIlroy had spent the past 10 days in Dubai working on his game at the Els Club course where he and Shane Lowry played a friendly practice round on Sunday.
McIlroy then travelled south to Abu Dhabi on Monday to move into Jumeriah’s newly-opened Etihad Towers Hotel where you can pay Euro 3,828 a night for Sky Suite on the 59th floor overlooking the Arabian Sea.
McIlroy spent Tuesday morning watching TV coverage of girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki going down in her Australian Open quarter final encounter with Kim Klijsters.
Rory McIlroy now beating the same drum as Tiger Woods. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
He then joined Woods and Westwood on a specially constructed stage in front of the stunning falcon clubhouse where the trio joined for an impromptu celebration of traditional Emirati ayala dancing.
“It’s a fantastic line-up for my first tournament of the season and to have guys like Tiger and Lee here helping promote the event is just great,” said McIlroy.
“Anytime you have Tiger in a tournament it is always very special.
“But we have the top four players in the world and hosts of other great champions so it’s going to make for a great week.
“To have so many great players will be helpful in gauging where your game is at. In the past I have done well here in Abu Dhabi so it will be nice to get off to a good start.
“I’ve had a third and a second here so it would be nice to go one better and get the win.
“As for heading into a new season all I am trying to do is improve and become a better golfer.
“Of course, I would like to try and get to the top of the world rankings but my real goal is just to continue to get myself into contention to win golf tournaments, and also get myself into contention in the Majors.
“That’s really it. I will keep practicing and working hard with that goal in mind.”
It is Woods’ first appearance in the UAE after having played on six occasions, including winning twice, in neighbouring Dubai.
It seems also Woods asking price to tee-up in Abu Dhabi has been slashed in half to $US 1.5m and, if correct, that’s half as much Woods was paid to contest November’s Australian Open in Sydney.
And Woods also raised some eyebrows when asked to comment on Donald’s claim from early December that McIlroy is the most talented player the Englishman has ever seen.
“As far as the most talented player that I’ve ever seen in person was Seve,” said Woods.
“Never seen a person do things with the golf ball that he was able to do and the creativeness that he was able to do.
“To me, he certainly had the most talent that I have ever seen in person.
“I never saw Mr. Nelson hit a golf ball. I never saw Jack (Nicklaus) in his prime. But I did see Seve when I first came out here, and I was able to play with him a few times; it was very impressive.”
