Former long-time World No. 1 Tiger Woods has suggested Rory McIlroy ‘move on’ and get over occasionally missing the halfway cut in a tournament.
Woods had just walked from the Muirfield Village course after shooting a first round 70 in The Memorial, and in an event he’s won four times in the past.
However very quickly into his post-round interview Woods found himself being asked to assess the recent efforts of McIlroy who arrived in Ohio having missed the cut in both the Players Championship and BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
McIlroy ended the opening day of the $US 6.2m event with a one under par 71, but in a round that included a shock quadruple bogey ‘7’ at the par three, 12th hole that McIlroy was playing as his third.
- Tiger Woods tells Rory McIlroy to ‘move on’ and get over missing the occasional halfway cut.
“When you miss the cut you just keep going,” said Woods.
“You’ve missed the cut, so be it, move on and get ready for the next event. I figured when I missed the cut‑‑ the times I’ve missed the cut, you still have the weekend, two extra days to go prepare and get ready. You have to turn it into a positive. You have to find some of the things that you did right and obviously analyze the things you did wrong, too, and apply them.
“But I think you’ve got to get right back to work. I don’t think you can sit on it and let it fester.
“You need to get right back at it and do your diligence and then get out there and do your homework and hit balls or chip and putt, whatever caused you to do what you did, if you’re not hurt. If you’re healthy, just go ahead and start ripping balls.”
And Woods was quizzed if thought that given the success McIlroy has achieved whether or not he’s going to have to accept occasionally have an enforced weekend off from competition.
“Well there is a reason why Rory got the criticism or scrutiny because he’s been so consistent over the last six, eight months,” said Woods.
“He’s probably played‑‑ I know him and Luke probably go back and forth obviously between 1 and 2, but Rory has had probably more top 5 finishes over that stretch.
“He’s just not just playing in the States. He’s not just playing in Europe. He’s playing all over the world, and he’s playing at a high level for a very long time.
“People’s expectations obviously are increased.”
Woods’ had commenced his round and was two under par through and was two under par after eight holes before taking a double at the 18th.
And like McIlroy, Woods bounced back in playing his inward nine in two under par.
