There isn’t a lot Tiger Woods hasn’t accomplished in golf but Rory McIlroy has the chance to beat Woods to a record this week at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
The World No 1 has three of the four WGCs after his win in China in November 2019 and starts Thursday looking to cement his status as the planet’s leading player as well as join the defending champion Dustin Johnson as the only players to win all four WGC events.
‘It’s good to be back in Mexico,’ he said.
‘I’ve played well here the last couple of times I’ve played. DJ was just sort of too good for all of us last year. WGCs are big events, top players in the world, and I’ve always played pretty well in them. I had a chance in Doral whenever it was back there a few years ago, or a couple of chances. Obviously I’ve played OK here.
‘To complete the set would be nice. Those Wedgewood trophies look pretty good in the trophy case, so I’d like to add one more there.
‘I’ve figured this place out pretty well for it being quite a new venue for all of us. The two finishes that I’ve had here give me confidence knowing that I can come in here this week and, if I play some good golf, I should have a chance.’
This week’s slam attempt will not be the Northern Irishman’s only chance in 2020 as he heads to Augusta in April looking to join the elite few who have won all four of golf’s Majors in what will be his sixth attempt.
The outspoken star insists, though, that he isn’t as caught up in adding his name to the history books as those observing it from afar.
‘I definitely think it’s less than it was. Especially coming off the back of 2014 into 2015 and having won the last couple of Majors, so it’s definitely gotten less. I think what’s happened since with Tiger winning again, that’ll be the massive narrative going into Augusta. I don’t think I can really fly below the radar that much these days, but I think lower than it has been in the past.
‘So I’d rather keep it low key and I feel like the last few years I’ve done that pretty well.’
