The growing friendship of Woods and Mcilroy blossomed last year in Abu Dhabi

Tiger Woods has revealed the growing friendship between him and Rory McIlroy blossomed at last year’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. Having struck up an instant bond in the emirate last year, the world’s top two are back in Abu Dhabi for another shot at the US $2.7 million championship, which tees off Thursday. Woods is already relishing the prospect of playing with McIlroy during the opening two rounds.

“It started here [in Abu Dhabi] last year,” said Woods, who was responding to a question about the “natural chemistry” between the two. “I played the front nine with him last year on a Tuesday and I think we were paired together for the first three days.

“So our relationship certainly has grown since then but it started here. We were right up there in the rankings, so we seemed to be getting paired together every week for a stretch there. We’ve certainly hit it off and our relationship has grown and our friendship’s gotten better.”
With Woods and McIlroy starring in a new Nike advertisement, the latter’s endorsement deal with the global sports brand giant was announced in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Woods and McIlroy will tee off at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club this Thursday at 7.40am.