Dubai: Rory McIlroy has backed Tiger Woods to bounce back from his worst-ever round of 11-over par 82 which he carded in round two of the Phoenix Open on Friday.
The 39-year-old 14-time Major winner was playing his first PGA Tour event of the season at TPC Scottsdale when he made six bogeys, two double bogeys, a triple bogey and two birdies.
But McIlroy – who is currently leading the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club by four strokes at 20 under par after round three – told reporters not to read too much into Woods’ shock round.
“I think he just needs to play a bit of competitive golf to be honest,” said the World No.1 four-time Major winner. “I played with him in November [at Seminole, West Palm Beach, Florida] and he played absolutely brilliantly.
“He probably hasn’t played in conditions like that [at the Phoenix Open] for a long time, it’s tough and it’s hard whenever you are making your first start of the year and there’s so much attention and scrutiny on him.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it, everyone knows he’s trying his best and he’s practising hard when he’s at home, I just think it’s more time on the golf course that he needs.”
