Tiger Woods smiles as he walks up the fairway during the pro-am of the Memorial golf tournament on Wednesday.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Rory McIlroy deadpanned the best line of the day. And the most honest.

The world’s No. 2 golfer was asked why Tiger Woods has won five times at the Memorial Tournament.

“The same reason he’s done so well everywhere, I guess,” McIlroy said, prompting loud laughter.

Woods’ dominance isn’t necessarily a laughing matter for the rest of the field at Muirfield Village this week. In 13 trips to Jack Nicklaus’ tournament, Woods has wins in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2009 and last year. He’s cashed more than $5 million, also finishing third twice and fourth once.

So when the Memorial tees off on Thursday morning, there’s no question who everyone will be watching.

“For some reason, I just feel comfortable on (Nicklaus-designed) golf courses, the way he sets it up,” said Woods, who has won four times this year in only seven starts to climb back to No. 1 in the world rankings. “There is ample room off the tees. The greens are really severe. If you miss the greens, it tests your short game. Those are the things that I think I do well.”

For his part, Nicklaus referred to the eye of the Tiger.

“Obviously, (the course) fits his eye,” he said. “I’m delighted that this is one of the golf courses that he likes.”

Woods’ strong start has perhaps gotten lost in the flurry of news, both good and bad, surrounding the sport these days. Two of the game’s sanctioning bodies have banned the anchored putting stroke that has helped four of the last six major-championship winners. Vijay Singh has sued the PGA Tour for its investigation into his use of deer-antler spray. Sergio Garcia made an off-hand comment with racial overtones that was directed at Woods, with whom he squabbled after they were paired at The Players Championship.