LEGENDARY GOLFER TIGER WOODS has heaped praise on Rory Mcllroy for his handling of the LIV Golf drama that has unfolded over the last 12 months.
Mcllroy has become the one of the biggest detractors of the new golf format since its inception in 2022 and has slammed the new Saudi-funded golf league on more than one occasion.
The Hollywood native and LIV's CEO Greg Norman have also been in a back-and-forth throughout the year with the Northern Irish golfer having a pop at the Australian every few weeks.
Woods, a former number one and the current number 1 Mcllroy will tee off alongside each other at the Genesis Invitational in California this weekend.
This will be the American's first PGA Tour start since last July speaking and ahead of his return Woods was asked about LIV and Rory Mcllroy's role in the controversy.
The Genesis Tee Times announced:
Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas
1st round Thursday: 3:04pm EST
2nd round Friday: 10:24am EST
Which makes us only 48 hours away from the return of the 🐐🤩— Tiger Woods News + Updates (@TNUtweetss) February 14, 2023
"We never would have expected the game of golf to be in this situation, but it is, that's the reality, and I was alluding to trying to create the best product, "said the 47-year-old.
"Obviously, they're a competitive organization trying to create their best product they possibly can, and we're trying to create the best product that we think the future of golf, how it should be played.
"It's been an ebb and flow, it really has. And it's been difficult, there's no lie.
"You've seen our ambassador, Rory, go through it. It's been tough on him, but he's been exceptional.
"To be able to go through all that, I've been with him on all those conference calls and side meetings, and for him to go out there and play and win, it's been incredible."
You can watch the event on Sky Sports Golf HD at 14:30pm UK time or on Sky Sports Golf HD at 21:00pm UK time or Sky Sports Main Event HD at 22:15pm UK time this coming Thursday
2023 Genesis Invitational -- Round 1 tee times, pairings
All times Eastern
- 10:24 a.m. -- Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland (No. 10)
- 10:35 a.m. -- Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott (No. 10)
- 10:46 a.m. -- Max Homa, Tom Kim, Xander Schauffele (No. 10)
- 10:57 a.m. -- Will Zalatoris, Cameron Cham, J.B. Holmes (No. 10)
- 3:04 p.m. -- Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods (No. 1)
- 3:15 p.m. -- Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa (No. 1)
- 3:26 p.m. -- Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry (No. 1)
- 3:37 p.m. -- Sam Burns, K.H. Lee, Cameron Young (No. 1)
Here's a look at the complete list of tee times for Round 1 on Thursday
2023 Genesis Invitational -- Round 2 tee times, pairings
All times Eastern
- 10:24 a.m. -- Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods (No. 10)
- 10:35 a.m. -- Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa (No. 10)
- 10:46 a.m. -- Justin Rose, Hideki Matsuyama, Shane Lowry (No. 10)
- 10:57 a.m. -- Sam Burns, K.H. Lee, Cameron Young (No. 10)
- 3:04 p.m. -- Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland (No. 1)
- 3:15 p.m. -- Tony Finau, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott (No. 1)
- 3:26 p.m. -- Max Homa, Tom Kim, Xander Schauffele (No. 1)
- 3:37 p.m. -- Will Zalatoris, Cameron Cham, J.B. Holmes (No. 1)
See More: Genesis Invitational, Golf, Rory Mcllory, Tiger Woods
