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Rory McIlroy is back from the disabled list as he makes his return from a stress fracture in his ribs this week at the WGC-Mexico Championship. This event will be his first on the PGA Tour this calendar year but his second of the season (he played the HSBC Champions last fall). 

McIlroy discussed a variety of topics Tuesday at his press conference and was his usual interesting self. The most intriguing matter he spoke about might have been Tiger Woods, with whom he had lunch with last week in Florida. McIlroy did his best to share whatever intel he gathered.

“I’ve always said golf is way better with Tiger Woods and Tiger Woods playing well,” McIlroy said. “Unfortunately, his body isn’t allowing him to do that. I caught up with him. I had lunch with him last week. Just the two of us sat down. I think the good thing is mentally he’s in a good place. He’s got other things in his life he’s interested in. It’s not as if it’s just golf. He’s struggled with his body over the past couple years. It’s unfortunate because it won’t allow him to do what he wants to do. 

“He’s working hard to get back. With your body and injuries, it takes time. However long it takes him to be healthy enough to play ... even if he plays eight to 10 times a year, that’s a bonus for all of us. It’s a bonus for him, it’s a bonus for us and it’s a bonus for golf in general.”

I agree with McIlroy. Woods should aim to play (at most) eight events a season. He could tee it up for the majors and four others. If his back allows, this would be an ideal situation for everyone. He should bag the Dubai trips, skip the Honda Classics and eject on the Hero World Challenge. Play the four majors, the Farmers Insurance Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the events his foundation sponsors. That would be tremendous.

Here are four other things to know about McIlroy entering the Mexico Championship.

He thinks the No. 1 ranking is important but not the ultimate achievement: “For a lot of guys, it’s an ego thing. It’s nice to be in that position. It’s not as if I earn more money because I’m No. 1. It’s nice to be able to say you’re the best in the world at what you do. The world rankings are a byproduct of how you play week in and week out.”

He’s more concerned about his rib than about the 2017 Masters: “I haven’t thought much about Augusta. My biggest concern has been getting healthy and getting back here. My focus was on trying to get ready for this event. It’s nice I get to play four rounds.”

He’s hitting 8-irons 210 yards this week. Two-hundred and 10 yards. Eight irons.

He can become No. 1 in the world with a win and a Dustin Johnson outside the top four. McIlroy has spent 95 weeks atop the Official World Golf Rankings. If he nets three more, he will have the third-most ever behind Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.