Golf fans have drooled in anticipation of a one-two rivalry between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, but the mop-topped Northern Irishman said that talk was premature.
“I don’t see myself a rival to Tiger or to anyone,” McIlroy said on Tuesday before a practice round at Augusta National ahead of Thursday’s opening round of the Masters.
McIlroy, proclaiming himself 100 percent comfortable with his golf swing and new clubs, could overtake a resurgent Woods and reclaim the World No 1 ranking at the Masters, but the 23-year-old Northern Irishman reminded everyone he is still early on his golf journey.
“When you speak of rivals, you tend to put rivals who have had similar success,” said McIlroy.
“He's got 77 PGA Tour events. I've got six. He's got 14 majors. I've got two.
“If I saw myself a rival to Tiger, I wouldn't really be doing him much justice.”
However, McIlroy made it plain he was eager to work on bridging the numbers gap starting this week at the first major championship of the year.
“Every time you come here to Augusta, you're wanting to win that green jacket, and every time you don't it's another chance missed,” said McIlroy, who admitted that anything less than a victory this week would be a disappointment.
