WATCH: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy ignore each other in awkward interaction at PGA Championship 2024
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy starred in one of the most notorious events of the first day of the 2024 PGA Championship. Contrary to the rule, the issue involving Woods and McIlroy is not directly related to what happens inside the ropes.
Golf Digest journalist Alex Myers tweeted on Thursday a video clip corresponding to the first round of the PGA Championship where Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy were seen crossing paths at Valhalla without greeting and barely glancing at each other.Here’s the video:
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Myers’ post has reached more than 174,000 views. The footage shows Tiger Woods walking down one of the staircases leading from one place to another on the course. Rory McIlroy walks up at exactly the same moment, so both players crossed paths.The video showed that neither player stopped to greet the other, and it’s not even visible that they looked at each other. Behind Woods walked Adam Scott (both playing in the same group) who turned to look at the Northern Irishman but only after he had passed.
For some weeks, rumors have been circulating that relations between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have been strained after the European changed his discourse regarding LIV Golf. Several media outlets like BroBible and the Daily Mail reported that Woods voted against McIlroy’s return to the PGA Tour Policy Board.
Are Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy not on talking terms?
Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have had a well-documented friendship. McIlroy told the Off The Ball podcast in 2023 that he talks to Woods practically every day and that they are even known to reside near each other.
However, after the possibility of McIlroy returning to the PGA Tour Policy Board replacing Webb Simpson emerged, it has been rumored that their relationship is strained. McIlroy denied that, though (via the Daily Mail):
“I think friends can have disagreements or not see eye to eye on things. We had a really good talk last Friday for 45 minutes, just about a lot of different things.
“No, there’s no strain there. think we might see the future of golf a little bit differently, but I don’t think that should place any strain on a relationship or on a friendship.”
Woods, for his part, said during his pre-PGA Championship press conference that he has no problems with McIlroy, but he acknowledged that they have different points of view:
“It’s good to see it differently, but collectively as a whole, we want to see whatever’s best for all the players, the fans, and the state of golf,” Woods said.
Woods finished the first round of the PGA Championship with a 1-over 72, with three birdies and four bogeys, while McIlroy carded a 5 under 66, with six birdies and one bogey.