CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. -- There is an $8 million purse and a chance to add another victory to an already impressive 2014 résumé, positioning for next week's FedEx Cup finale in Atlanta for Rory McIlroy to think about this week at Cherry Hills.
But among his big reasons for wanting to play the tournament? Football. American football.
Yep, McIlroy acknowledged two weeks ago that he really wanted to go to Sunday night's NFL game between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts.
Born and bred on the other football -- soccer -- in his native Northern Ireland, McIlroy, 25, has come to appreciate the American version.
"Of course I can enjoy it," McIlroy said Thursday after shooting 67 to share the lead. "I mean, I'm a huge rugby fan. So there's obviously similarities with that. Even though you guys play with pads on, which is -- I don't understand that.
"But it's a great game. Once you start to understand it, and I started to understand it more over the past couple of years, you really get into it, and I think the great thing about football is how short the season is. So it's always in demand. People want it. Once the Super Bowl finishes, they can't wait for football season to start up again. I think that's the great thing about it."
McIlroy said he met Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning on Tuesday in the locker room at Cherry Hills and got hooked up with tickets for the game.
"It's nice to be in this position and to be able to meet other sports people and people who are at the top of their game and profession," McIlroy said.
