By Joshua Lees
Rory McIlroy earned the bragging rights over his close friend and business partner Tiger Woods, as the pair competed in the Seminole Pro-Member in Florida on Monday.
The Pro-Am event included a whole host of names from the world of golf and business, while seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady took headline billing alongside Woods and McIlroy. Woods was partnered up with PGA of America CEO, Seth Waugh whilst McIlroy had the chance to play alongside his father, Gerry.
And whilst neither pair were able to win the event outright, the McIlroy duo were able to get the better of Woods and Waugh, finishing a single shot ahead of the all-American pair in the net (after handicaps) leaderboard in a tie for 22nd.
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Overall, Erik Van Rooyen and John Pinkman claimed the title on the net side of the event, whilst Mackenzie Hughes and Frank Edwards carded the best gross score. For Woods however it would no doubt have been nice to get back out on the golf course following yet another set back last month.
The 15-time major champion made his first PGA Tour start of the year at the Genesis Invitational, but has often been the case in recent years, his tournament was cut short. Woods was forced to withdraw from the second round in Los Angeles in February, but this time it centred around illness rather than injury.
With Woods seemingly comfortable with the ankle injury that had kept him out for almost eight months in 2023, he was then taken ill with influenza and forced to pull out just six holes into day two. The tournament host was seen being taken from course to the clubhouse in a golf cart, and appeared visibly unwell.
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An ambulance arrived on the scene in the aftermath of the withdrawal, but Woods left some time after by car. Woods then took to social media to provide an update on his health to fans, with those watching on once again fearing the worst over his PGA Tour future.
"I would like to confirm that I had to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational due to illness, which we now know is influenza," he tweeted. 'I am resting and feeling better. Good luck to the players this weekend. I’m disappointed to not be there and want to thank Genesis and all the fans for the support."
Woods had previously announced that he planned to play in one PGA Tour event a month starting in February. It is expected that March's chosen tournament will come at next week's Players Championship, whilst he will no doubt be targeting the Masters at Augusta National in April. It remains unknown as to whether his illness will impact his upcoming plans.
