16-year-old Rory McIlroy: posed as photographer to catch a glimpse of hero Tiger Woods

Rory McIlroy, 16: Poses for photographer to see Tiger Woods character

Rory McIlroy has become one of the biggest names in modern golf alongside Tiger Woods in recent years, but the Northern Irishman has gone to extreme lengths to get closer to his teenage hero.

Rory McIlroy was 16 when he posed for a photographer to see Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy has been Woods’ staunchest ally in golf in recent years, establishing himself as one of the biggest names on the PGA Tour alongside the 15-time major champion. The two men went into business with McIlroy and Woods and soon formed the innovative golf league TGL.

But the Northern Irishman’s relationship with the PGA Tour’s most successful player wasn’t always so strong. McIlroy considered Woods his childhood hero. At the age of 16, McIlroy had the opportunity to play on the European Tour at the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic, where he was joined by his son Woods. Due to relatively unknown circumstances, McIlroy finished the first round early, putting Woods among the favorites for the evening. McIlroy, who wanted to see his 15-time major champion win, looked like a photographer following Woods through the first 18 holes in 2012. Reflecting on his first Dubai Desert Classic 12 years ago, McIlroy told ESPN: “I I remember shooting [in 2006]. I fired two 72’s and chipped one. “I remember we were playing on a Thursday morning and the Tigers were playing on a Thursday afternoon. I went out in the afternoon and took one of the photographer’s cameras from him and followed him to the ropes, which was really cool. Everything we know about Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods’ new golf rivalry

“This was my first show in Dubai and I’ve been back every year since.” Remarkably, it was Woods who won the Middle East Tour that year, defeating the great Ernie Els in a playoff after finishing the week at 19.

Since then, McIlroy himself has become the quintessential Dubai desert expert. The four-time champion won his first professional title in the Middle East in 2009 and has since won the Dubai crown a total of three times.

Last year was one of McIlroy’s most memorable years as he faced LIV Golf rival Patrick Reed. The pair were involved in a row earlier this week when the Northern Irishman ignored the lead and fired the puck in for a four-time winner.