Golf

All eyes on Tiger Woods as he looks to lay a Major marker at Memorial tournament

Rory McIlroy attempts to bounce back from a disappointing display at Wentworth

Tiger Woods during yesterday’s pro-am before the start of today’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. Photograph: Jay Laprete/AP
Tiger Woods during yesterday’s pro-am before the start of today’s Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village. Photograph: Jay Laprete/AP
Thu May 30 2013 - 01:00

All eyes will be on Tiger Woods as he looks to lay a marker for the next Major of the year at the Memorial Tournament this weekend. Eight of the world’s top 10 will be in action in Dublin, Ohio, including British quartet Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, but world number one Woods is the man to beat.

The American birdied three of his last four holes to turn a two-shot deficit into a two-stroke victory in this competition 12 months ago – the fifth time he has come out on top at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

Woods will be itching to claim a sixth crown this week ahead of the US Open – which gets under way on June 13th at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania – and build further momentum following his success at the Players Championship earlier this month.

Victory in Florida was the 37-year-old’s fourth title of 2013 and he will have no intention of resting on his laurels when he tees off alongside Keegan Bradley and Fred Couples in his opening round of Jack Nicklaus’ tournament today.

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“I think I’ve always played Nicklaus courses well. Looking at my career, I’ve won on quite a few, whether it was junior golf college or in professional golf.

"For some reason I just feel comfortable on his golf courses, the way he sets it up. It's a test for your short game and those are the things I do well."

Poor showing
McIlroy will be bidding to put last week's poor showing at the BMW behind him. The Northern Irishman admitted he was put off by the poor weather at Wentworth and missed the cut after disappointing rounds of 74 and 75. However, the world number two is aiming to rediscover his form in warmer climes.

And perhaps the fact he is teeing off alongside world number four Rose and 2012 Masters champion Bubba Watson in one of the more exciting groups will give McIlroy an added incentive.

Rose knows what it takes to succeed in this competition after triumphing in 2010 and he is being tipped as one of the frontrunners to upset Woods although compatriot and world number 10 Westwood is hoping he can build on his result at the BMW PGA championship, where he finished in a tie for ninth.