The Day Rory McIlroy Turned Media, Carrying A Long Lens & Get To Walk Closer To Tiger.

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While this year marks the 37th hosting of the Dubai Desert Classic there is also two special ‘events’ that took place at the tournament 20-years ago.

Firstly, the 2006 hosting of the Dubai Desert Classic is probably more remembered as the year World No. 1 Tiger Woods won the Dubai Desert Classic for a first of two occasions.

Woods had made his Dubai debut in 2004, won in 2006, played again in 2007 and then won for a second time in 2008 while returning to tee-up again in 2011, 2014 and 2017.

The 2006 Dubai Desert Classic has also become memorable as it marked the first appearance teeing-up of a then curly-haired, freckle-faced, super-talented and then 16-year-old golfer named Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy was playing on an invitation, and it would be not be till later in 2007 he announced he was turning pro.

The Holywood-born Northern Irishman had been out early on day one, signing for a level par 72.  In contrast, Woods hit-off 12.05pm, producing a very tidy 67 to be just a few shots off the lead.

McIlroy’s second day tee-time was the opposite to Woods with McIlroy out at 8.05am and Woods at 12.05pm.

McIlroy posted a second straight 72 to be at level par but not knowing at the time in ending his round that it would be one shot shy of missing the eventual one-under par cut-off mark.

But at the time, and near lunch, it was not McIlroy’s immediate interest.  What McIlroy needed to do was to get himself to the 10th tee fast.

“I remember I played on Friday morning, and then on Friday afternoon Tiger was playing,” said McIlroy.

“I came out in the afternoon and took one of the photographer’s cameras off of him and was able to follow inside the ropes, which was pretty cool.”

In fact, McIlroy never ‘took’ a photographers camera off anyone. In fact,  this journalist was present and I can honestly say 20-years-on, I helped assist McIlroy inside the ropes, having for many years worked during Open Championship for the R & A in assisting the written media and accredited photographers find their way about being officially inside the competition ropes at Open venues.

To everyone about that 10th tee on this day in 2006 McIlroy was just another spectator as he shuffled about seeking a decent viewing spot to watch Woods tee-off, and set to do so in the company of Swede Henrik Stenson and Northern Irishman Darren Clarke.

McIlroy was recognised by a handful of the photographers, including Getty’s Stuart Franklin, a media colleague and still good friend while he was pointed out to myself.

I too recognised McIlroy, having first come in contact with him just under a year earlier, being present at the Darren Clarke hosted 2005 Daily Telegraph Dunlop Masters, and with Clarke arranging for McIlroy to be present ahead of the event into the Forest of Arden course media centre.  That was May 2005 and it was McIlroy’s maiden European Tour event.

Between Stuart and I we were able to get McIlroy inside the ropes with a suitable pass and with Stuart organising for McIlroy to act as a photographers assistant, and agreeing to ‘look important’ carrying one of Stuart’s long lenses.

Twenty-years ago, McIlroy was excited as kid in a candy shop and that was no more noticeable when Woods brilliantly eagled his first hole, the par-5 10th.

There was no need to follow the spectators rushing between shots as McIlroy had an ‘inside the ropes’ pass, so for the next handful of holes he had one of the best views of Woods you could wish for.  Though McIlroy never got to take any photographs (smiling).

It should also be pointed out that the Getty Images photograph of Woods with a very young-looking McIlroy watching over his shoulder was taken by Stuart.

McIlroy had been asked many years ago by ESPN if there was one shot he can remember from Woods’ round and no surprise, as it was the eagle ‘3’ at the 10th, and Woods’ second round opening hole.

“There is one this shot that still sticks out in my mind. I was right there”, said McIlroy.

“Tiger to this day, hit a 5-iron out of the right rough on 10 and landed it on the green and stopped it on the green and to this day it was one of the best golf shots I’ve ever seen.

“I had a better view than most, being able to get inside the ropes and have a media credential”.

McIlroy walked a good few holes clearly delighting being inside the ropes and so close in following Woods

Woods went on to post a second round 66, one fewer than a day earlier before eventually birdieing the closing two holes of his final round and then defeat Ernie Els in a play-off.

In a few weeks’ time, Woods will be in attendance as a guest of McIlroy when golf’s newest Grand Slam champ hosts the annual Augusta National annual ‘Champions Dinner’.

 



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