“I’m going back to the range” - Rory McIlroy has the perfect response after being outdriven by Tiger Woods at Genesis

Rory McIlroy took a back seat to Tiger Woods as the headliner at the Genesis Invitational.

The Irishman was more than happy to make way for the legendary golfer’s popularity. However, McIlroy was in for a surprise as the 15-time Major winner blasted the ball past him off the tee.

Woods teed off on Thursday with McIlroy and Justin Thomas. The veteran somehow managed to outdrive both of them, despite being away from the PGA Tour for months. Making his return to the field, Woods surprised McIlroy with his drive, leading him to state that he is “going back to the range” for more practice.

Speaking after being outdriven by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy said:

​

​

“I'm going to go work on the range. I put my driver up a click in loft at the start of the week, I might have to turn it back down again. I don't like him hitting it by me.”

The World No. 2 golfer also mentioned that he was happy to share the field with Woods yet again:

​

​

“Yeah, look, this guy's literally been golf for the last 25 years. So I'm very happy to take a back seat.”

PGA TOUR

@PGATOUR

The more things change, the more they stay the same twitter.com/PGATOUR/status…

PGA TOUR

@PGATOUR

The story behind @TigerWoods' iconic fist pump

It began when he bested his dad for the first time at age 11.

520

30

The story behind @TigerWoods' iconic fist pump 💪

It began when he bested his dad for the first time at age 11. https://t.co/L2vHjQkq4b

The more things change, the more they stay the same 💪 twitter.com/PGATOUR/status… https://t.co/TcTkpI5XqS

It is pertinent to note that Tiger Woods’ return was the highlight of the day of the Genesis Invitational. Despite World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, No. 2 McIlroy, and No. 3 Jon Rahm all teeing up, it was the 82-time PGA Tour winner who stole all the focus.

To many people’s surprise, Woods averaged 311.7 yards driving distance, just a few yards short of McIlroy's 315.5 yards.

---

Rory McIlroy under pressure from Tiger Woods

Rory McIlroy was put under pressure on 18 after watching both Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas make birdie putts. The trio competing against each other was a treat to watch for the fans at Riviera.

Speaking about the moment, Rory McIlroy said:

​

​

“That wasn't pleasant. I felt - he holed the one on 17 before me as well and I'm like, not again. Yeah, I certainly didn't want to be the only one not to make a birdie on 18, so that was a nice putt to hole.”

Dylan Dethier

@dylan_dethier

Rory McIlroy keenly aware of Tiger Woods' driving distance:

"I put my driver up a click in loft at the start of the week — I might have to turn it back down again. I don't like him hitting it by me."

1771

36

Rory McIlroy keenly aware of Tiger Woods' driving distance:

"I put my driver up a click in loft at the start of the week — I might have to turn it back down again. I don't like him hitting it by me."

Interestingly, Woods also admitted that he was having fun outdriving his two friends on the pitch.

He said:

​

​

​

“JT hoops one in there and Rory's been beating us all day. He's nervous as can be because he didn't want to be the one to miss on 18. I didn't want to be the idiot host to miss it right in front of everybody after I just went birdie-birdie… These are all things that we all say amongst each other but obviously people don't hear it, but caddies hear it, we all hear it… It was a great round.”

The 2023 Genesis International will play its final round on Sunday, February 19. One of the biggest events of the year, it has a prize purse of $20 million.

​