SAN DIEGO – Rory McIlroy is making his debut at the Farmers Insurance Open, but this isn’t the first time he’s played in San Diego. Every year, the world’s elite junior players flock to the area to compete in the Junior World Championships. The oldest contestants play Torrey Pines’ South Course while younger players compete on courses throughout the area. McIlroy fit into the latter group when he played the Junior World. He competed on Presidio Hills, a par-3 course in San Diego, in the 10-and-under division. He didn’t win, but it was an eventful week. “I actually made a hole-in-one that week,� McIlroy said Wednesday. “And I remember the opening ceremonies, I got my picture with Earl Woods, which was pretty cool at the time.� McIlroy finished eighth in the 10-and-under division of the 1999 Junior World Championship. His 54-hole total of 164 (57-55-52) was 12 shots behind winner Philip Francis, who went on to win the 2006 U.S. Junior in nearby Rancho Santa Fe and play on UCLA’s 2008 NCAA title team. Tony Finau tied McIlroy that week. McIlroy, the 2016 FedExCup champion, is making his second consecutive start at a new PGA TOUR event. He opened the calendar year with a fourth-place finish at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. It was the 10th time in the past 11 years that McIlroy started with a top-5 in his first event. It was also the seventh consecutive time that he failed to win after playing in Sunday’s final group. He started the final round at Kapalua three shots behind Gary Woodland. FedExCup leader Xander Schauffele shot 62 to pass them both. McIlroy finished eight back after shooting 72. “I’m committed to the journey of getting to a point where that’s not a conversation anymore,� McIlroy said. He’ll try to end that narrative at another new course. McIlroy turned pro in late 2007, but he was unsuccessful in his attempt to qualify for the following year’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines. He usually plays in the Middle East during this time of year, but is focusing on the PGA TOUR this season. “I like coming to new golf courses, the process of learning them, what you’re hitting off tees, good angles coming into the greens, what side to miss on, all that stuff,� said McIlroy, who’s 82nd in this season’s FedExCup standings. “It’s been a pretty productive three days.� He’ll play the first two rounds with Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott. They’re scheduled to tee off at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday on the South Course. “I feel like I’ve watched this tournament a lot on TV, whether it be the U.S. Open or this tournament over the years,� McIlroy said. “I’ve alluded to the fact that I want to play in the strongest possible tournaments each and every week. I’m happy to be here because of that.�
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