Rory McIlroy reveals he and Tiger Woods BOTH had coronavirus ahead of The Open in July

Rory McIlroy announced that he and Tiger Woods had come down with Covid-19 just a week before The 150th Open began in St. Andrews this year.

Woods made an important return to The Open in July in what is likely to be his last walk on the Old Course, while McIlroy is close to clinching Major No. 5 in St. Andrews.

However, the duo was reportedly battling Covid days before golf’s final major of the year.

Rory McIlroy (R) reveals he and Tiger Woods (L) had Covid-19 just a week apart The Open

The pair are in Adare Manor, Ireland after playing the JP McManus Pro-Am on July 4-5, a week before The Open tees off on July 14.

But McIlroy revealed he almost ruined the 15-time Major winner’s fairytale return to the Home of Golf.

The Northern Irishman revealed he began showing symptoms of Covid on the morning of Thursday, July 7 before Woods followed suit later that evening.

‘Tiger needs a rest on Wednesday,’ McIlroy told The Independent. ‘We played two days of golf at Adare [Manor] and the plan is to play Ballybunion on Thursday. I woke up this morning feeling a little sore but nothing really.

The pair were in Adare Manor, Ireland after they played the JP McManus Pro-Am

McIlroy said he began showing symptoms on the morning of Thursday, July 7

‘JP [McManus] gave us his chopper and we got off with Sean and Tiger’s manager Rob [McNamara]. We got around fine, flew back to Adare for lunch and as I’m getting up from the table, I’m sore and stiff and super tired.

‘ I said to Erica, “I’m feeling a little down. I’m just going upstairs to lie down for a while.” I slept for maybe two hours and sweat was pouring out of me, then Erica took my temperature and it was sky high.

‘I called Tiger: “I don’t feel good here.” And he goes, “Oh, I feel fine.” But he texted me at 10 o’clock that night, chills, fever, and I’m like, “F—ing hell, I’ve just given Tiger Covid! This is horrendous!” (laughs) So we both had Covid going into The Open.’

The 15-time major champion started showing symptoms that night

McIlroy said he had quarantined himself at Adare Manor and began to improve on Sunday, July 10, although The Independent article did not say whether McIlroy had been tested for Covid.

Fortunately for McIlroy and the golfing world, Woods still managed to tee it up at St. Andrews. However, a triumphant return was not to be for Woods as his Open tournament ended after two rounds, despite his successful entry into The Masters and the PGA Championship earlier in the year.

Despite the disappointment, Woods was given an iconic reception as he made his way to the famous 18th, for possibly the last time.

The crowd gave the legend a standing ovation as he made his way to the green and fought back tears as he lifted his cap.

Woods was given an iconic welcome as he teed off on the famous 18th at St. Andrews

McIlroy, however, bounced back from his bout with Covid in spectacular form to lead the tournament with Viktor Hovland heading into the final round.

But the 33-year-old failed to clinch his fifth Major win, finishing third, two shots behind winner Cam Smith.

The duo, who launched their tech-focused company TMRW Sports together in August, will return to action – hopefully without any hiccups – at The Match on December 10 when they square off against Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.

McIlroy shared the lead heading into the final round but finished third, two shots off the winner

Cam Smith clinched the Claret Jug by one shot following the final round of eight-under