Not worthy ... McIlroy says talk of his rivalry with Tiger is premature. Source:AP
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods have shared the world No.1 ranking this year, but talk of an all-encompassing rivalry between the two is premature, the Irishman says.
Speaking ahead of his fifth appearance in the Masters, the year's first major, McIlory said a quick a look at their respective playing records proved his point.
"I don't see myself a rival to Tiger or to anyone,'' he said.
"Tiger obviously has been on tour, for, what, 12 more years than me or something like that.
"When you speak of rivals, you tend to put rivals who have had similar success. He's got 77 PGA Tour events (wins); 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.''
Woods, however, is in no doubt McIlroy is currently his main rival for top golfer spot.
"I think that over the course of my career, I've had a few (rivals),'' he said.
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"You know, certainly Rory is this generation. I've had Phil (Mickelson) and Vijay (Singh) and Ernie (Els) and David (Duval) for a number of years, and now Rory's the leader of this new, younger generation.''
What is not in doubt is McIlroy and Woods will be the joint centres of attention this week at the 77th edition of the Augusta National classic with many hoping they will both play well enough to be in a position to go head-to-head over the back nine.
The 23-year-old Ulsterman started the year as an outstanding world No.1 and the biggest draw in the game since Woods at his prime.
But a switch of golfing equipment and a loss of focus saw him mired in a form slump that resulted in a run of missed cuts and a much-publicised stomp off the course during a round at the Honda Classic.
At the same time, 37-year-old Woods completed his return to something like his best form with three wins on the US Tour that saw him regain the top spot in the rankings for the first time since October 2010.
McIlroy believes his breaking-in period with his new golf clubs and ball is at an end and he can mount a real challenge to win his first Masters and third major title after the 2011 US Open and the 2012 PGA Championship.
"I'm very comfortable and I'm 100 per cent there,'' he said.
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