Rory McIlroy has had the better year, but Tiger Woods looks like he owns him.
Well, in head-to-head match-ups, Woods owns him.
With Woods eliminating McIlroy from the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final Thursday morning, it has become clear Woods is able to summon something extra when McIlroy is paired with him.
Woods routed McIlroy in Turkey, shooting 64 to McIlroy’s 70.
It’s a peculiar phenomenon because, overall, McIlroy plays better than anyone in events with Woods in the field. Since McIlroy turned pro in 2007, he and Woods have played in 44 European and PGA Tour events together. McIlroy has won five of them, Woods three. McIlroy is 23-18-3 when measured against how Woods finished in those common events. Over the last two years, McIlroy is 14-6-2 measured against Woods’ finishes.
Yet in head-to-head play, Woods has lopsided bragging rights. He is 8-2 when paired with McIlroy in their careers. In fact, in the 10 times they’ve played together, Woods has posted scores in the 60s in all but one round. Woods has shot 64, 65 and three times has shot 66 in McIlroy’s company.
When playing with McIlroy, Woods’ scoring average is 67.0. McIlroy’s is 69.0.
What should we make of it? Yes, this week’s event in Turkey is an exhibition, and McIlroy didn’t seem very disappointed getting the afternoon off to relax by the swimming pool, but you know he can’t like getting beat in so many head-to-head match-ups, even if they were just Nassaus at some club.
Here's the head-to-head record:
Event Woods/McIlroy
2010 Chevron second round 66/70
2012 Abu Dhabi first round 70/67
2012 Abu Dhabi second round 69/72
2012 Abu Dhabi third round 66/68
2012 Barclays first round 68/69
2012 Barclays second round 69/73
2012 BMW Champ. first round 65/64
2012 BMW Champ. second round 67/68
2012 Tour Champ. first round 66/69
2012 Turkish Airlines third round 64/70
-Golf Channel-
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