Tiger, McIlroy have own version of match play

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy faced off Sunday in match play, just like so many golf fans wanted to see.

Only hardly anyone saw them. And it didn’t even count.

After both were eliminated in the first round of the Match Play Championship, No. 1 and No. 2 in the world played two rounds Sunday morning at The Medalist.

“We thought we’d play our own Match Play final,” McIlroy said Tuesday at the Honda Classic.

They were done about the time Matt Kuchar was holding on for a 2-and-1 win over Hunter Mahan at Dove Mountain in Arizona. McIlroy didn’t give any details of the match, but it’s safe to say they weren’t wearing the ski caps that Kuchar and Mahan had on during their match.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The opening round for Woods and McIlroy didn’t start until Thursday because of a snowstorm. They were gone the next day after losing, and Woods said he was headed home to Florida to get warm.

The Medalist is the home club of Woods. McIlroy said former NFL receiver Ahmad Rashad joined them.

So who won?

McIlroy said Woods won the first round, and McIlroy beat him the second round. That would leave their head-to-head record tied at 2 wins apiece. A year ago, Woods beat McIlroy in the World Golf Finals exhibition in Turkey, and McIlroy beat him in an 18-hole exhibition in China.

One thing they didn’t have to worry about was pace of play.

They teed off at 8 a.m. and McIlroy said he was home by 1:30 p.m.

“He putts with the pin in,” McIlroy said. “It’s speed golf. It was good. It was really enjoyable.”

McIlroy is the defending champion at the Honda Classic, where he held on despite a birdie-eagle finish by Woods, who tied for second. McIlroy has played only three rounds that count this year, with the Masters only six weeks away. He and Woods missed the cut in Abu Dhabi, and both lost in the first round of Match Play. The difference is that Woods also played the Farmers Insurance Open, which he won for his record eighth win at Torrey Pines.

Both are to play next week at Doral.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Matthew Bereket (right) lunges in to challenge a kick from Central Kitsap freshman Eli Daniels during the Stormrays' 1-0 win in the 3A Boys Soccer State Round of 16 in Shoreline, Washington on May 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer exorcises playoff demons against Central Kitsap

The top-seeded Stormrays overcome two years of upsets to beat Cougars 1-0 in 3A second round.

The Jackson girls golf team poses with the state championship trophy and sign on the 18th green of Eagle's Pride Golf Course after winning the WIAA 4A State Championship in DuPont, Washington on May 21, 2025. Pictured left to right: Coach Jerome Gotz, freshman Karen Shin, sophomore Kayla Kim, senior Paige Swander, senior Lindsay Catli, sophomore Chanyoung Park and junior Christine Oh. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Jackson girls golf wins first state title

The Timberwolves turn one-shot lead on back nine into 14-stroke victory for 4A crown.

Kamiak’s Tristan Kim putts during the 4A District 1 Boys Golf Championship at Legion Memorial Golf Course on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Kamiak Flip’ powers Knights boys golf to top-five state finish

Kamiak leverages a strong second round to win hardware as Tristen Kim finishes third individually.

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Nick Emmanwori is embracing Kam Chancellor comparisons

Will the Seahawks use him the same way?

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 11-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 11-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a game-tying basket against the New York Knicks as time expires in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (Al Bello / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Tyrese Haliburton channels Reggie Miller, Pacers stun Knicks

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton put both of his… Continue reading

Snohomish’s Griffin Triggs and Chase Clark celebrate getting the final out to beat Bellevue in loser-out opening round 3A state game on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish baseball mounts comeback against Bellevue

The Panthers score five runs in the sixth to win 6-2 and advance to the WIAA second round.

Prep roundup for Tuesday, May 20

Mohr scores twice to lead Wildcats to state second round.

Snohomish’s Luke Davis yells after getting an out at first base during the opening round 3A state game against Bellevue on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Jorge Polanco of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Seattle. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Simple approach leading to Polanco’s improvement

Despite not being 100% healthy, Polanco is off to a hot start… Continue reading

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates as the Thunder pull away in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in Oklahoma City to beat the Timberwolves. (Carlos Gonzalez / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Anthony Edwards tried to rattle SGA, and it didn’t work.

Four minutes into a Western Conference finals headlined by… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.