Rory McIlroy is getting one final tune up before the Masters later in April and he has Tiger Woods on the mind, as Woods took the number one ranking from him and is now the clear cut favorite for the Masters along with Phil Mickelson as he plays in the Texas Open.
McIlroy started off with an even-par 72 and is tied for 45th and he is hoping that some sharp play will continue heading into the next major championship. Woods has been on fire this year and took the number one ranking from McIlroy after over two years of being out of it. He has won three times on tour this year and has taken six of his last 20 official starts.
Woods was back on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week and the article outlined his comeback as well as how much he has changed over the past few years as his sex scandal came to public knowledge. McIlroy has struggled all year and has missed the cut while also quitting at the Honda Classic.
He had a rough go of it after starting two under and eventually he ended up with a par round. McIlroy has not been able to get out of his funk all year since switching to Nike clubs and Matt Bettencourt is leading the tournament with a five under par. There was far less drama on the PGA tour compared to the LPGA tour, as Michelle Wie was criticized by Annika Sorenstam, but it appears the two have made up.
McIlroy is considered the heir apparent to Woods on the tour and if he can get his game back he should be able to challenge next week at Augusta.