Rory McIlroy says Tiger Woods exceeded expectations in first event back

Published Dec. 14, 2016 8:27 a.m. ET

Nick Schwartz

Golf is more exciting when Tiger Woods is around, and though he finished well out of contention in his first professional event of 2016 at his own Hero World Challenge, Woods proved that he's still got the talent to win if he can remain healthy.

At the Excellence in Sport Awards in Dublin, Rory McIlroy said he was impressed with Woods' game, but thought that Tiger's attitude was even more telling.

Via Irish Golf Desk:

"I think he exceeded everyone’s expectations, not sure if he exceeded his own, but he definitely made some great swings.

He looked comfortable, he looked happy which I thought was the most interesting thing. He looked happy to be out there, which we probably haven’t seen in a while.

Anytime we saw him on a golf course in the last couple of years he had the furrowed brow and he has been so concentrated.

But he looked happy so obviously that tells you he has been away and he has come back out happy and he is in a better place.”

Padraig Harrington, a two-time Open Champion, said he wasn’t sure if Woods would ever compete again. After the Hero World Challenge, though, Harrington once again believes that Tiger will add to his major total.

“Before last week, I wasn’t sure if he’d ever win a major again. I think he will now.”