The professional golf community would like us to think that there’s a fierce rivalry between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. But nothing could be farther from the truth, in McIlroy’s mind anyway.
“No, not at all,” said McIlroy, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world. “I don’t see myself as a rival to Tiger or anyone for that fact. Tiger’s obviously been on tour 12 more years than me or something like that. When you speak of rivals, you tend to think rivals have had similar success. He’s got 77 PGA tour wins; I’ve got six. He’s won 14 majors; I’ve won two. If I saw myself as I rival to Tiger I really wouldn’t be doing him much justice.”
However, Woods said he does consider McIlroy one of his rivals.
“Over the course of my career I’ve had a few,” he said. “Certainly Rory is this generation. I’ve had Phil (Mickelson) and Vijay (Singh) and Ernie (Els) and David (Duval) for a number of years. Now Rory is the leading (rival) of this younger generation. So, yes, definitely.”
Perhaps, but McIlroy and Woods are on similar career paths. Just 24 years old, McIlroy is already playing in his fifth Masters tournament. He won four PGA Tour events last season, including the PGA Championship, to claim player of the year honors in 2012. McIlroy spent 32 weeks as the world’s No. 1 ranked player until Woods overtook him with his victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month.
Meanwhile, McIlroy has been adjusting to his equipment from Titleist to Nike. That process, McIlroy said Tuesday, is about complete. He shot 66 in the final round last week to finish second to Martin Laird in the Valero Texas Open.
“It’s definitely not the clubs,” McIlroy said during an interview Tuesday at Augusta National. “That’s what I’ve found out the last few weeks. It’s me. I feel like the clubs are a part of me now and that’s the way it ought to be.”
McIlroy, who’s best Masters finish was 15th in 2011, tied Woods for 40th last year. So he’s trying a different strategy this year.
“I’m going to try to hit the fat parts of the fairway because I’m hitting my irons so well,” he said. “At the end of the day, what’s the difference in hitting approach with an 8-iron or a 6-iron. Hopefully I’ll make less mistakes.”
One reporter asked if McIlroy’s recent resurgence may be because of Woods’ improved performance.
“No, doesn’t make a difference at all,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what anybody else does.”
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