Rory McIlroy set to challenge Tiger Woods in Abu Dhabi and says Woods is “fit and happy”
US Open champion, young Rory McIlroy is paired with his nemesis Tiger Woods and world number one Luke Donald, and will be hoping to challenge Woods right from day one.
McIlroy is coming out of a trailblazing season, his best yet on the European Tour, where he landed no fewer than three titles, including the coveted US Open at Congressional Country Club.
Meanwhile Woods is also brimming with confidence, after he was finally able to break his two-year long winless drought with the Chevron World Challenge at the closing of the PGA Tour season.
Although the former world number one regards his performance at the Australian turf, the important turn around in his form before he went over to clinch the Chevron title.
McIlroy, who spent Wednesday afternoon playing the front nine for the practice session alongside Woods, believes the 14-major-winner is happy and in fine form.
McIlroy told reporters , "He seems like he's happy with everything - I know he's definitely happy that he feels like he's back to 100 percent fitness. He hit a lot of good shots out there, so I think he's worked hard in the off-season and looks like his game is in pretty good shape”.
For the moment, the young Ulsterman is all charged up even at the start of the event and is hoping to give Woods a run for his money.
McIlroy remembers the times he grew up watching the legendary Woods for the last 15 years and considers him one of the most phenomenal players of all times.
He added, "Growing up and watching Tiger for the last 15 years he was the face of golf for a long, long time. He still is the face of golf. He set the benchmark for a lot of guys – no one may play the way he did in 2001. He's still the main attraction in 2012”.
McIlroy and Woods’ rivalry dates back to McIlroy’s early professional days when he played the tour as a rookie.
The Irishman declined an invitation by Woods in 2007 to participate in the Target World Challenge, although the reason why McIlroy declined the invitation is still unknown.
He also gave reckless comments on the former world number one in the previous season and even went to the extent of saying that Woods’ career is “almost over”.
It will be interesting to watch the two formidable foes wrestle their way up the leaderboard over the weekend.
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