DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A small crowd that gathered in the morning chill made its way to the first tee to watch Tiger Woods start his pro-am round Wednesday at Torrey Pines.
The first starting time is ideal because the front nine is open.
Rory McIlroy was in the second group. As the FedEx Cup champion and PGA Tour player of the year, wouldn't he have the option of going first? McIlroy laughed and said, "I'm not Tiger Woods."
No one is. Woods has built his unrivaled status through 82 victories on the PGA Tour, 15 major championships, some 10 years at No. 1 in the world and transcendent star power that still shines bright.
McIlroy will have to settle for being the second biggest star during a week when he can return to No. 1 in the world.
They will be a group
