In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with the Irish Times, Rory McIlroy opened up about his budding relationship with Tiger Woods and hinted that he may even help facilitate a singles match between the two superstars at next week's Ryder Cup.
McIlroy, the world No. 1, told the newspaper that he's struck up a genuine friendship with Woods ?and it even involves a bit of good-natured ribbing.
"Tiger gives me stick about being short,?McIlroy said, according to the report. "He always asks me, seriously, how tall are you?"I'll say, "5-foot-9."yeah, but without the hair? That's 5-7, right?"He'sl ask me, "What do you do when Caroline (Wozniacki, (McIlroy's girlfriend) wears heels?"
밄ut I give him grief about all sorts ?getting old, getting bald. He doesn뭪 take himself too seriously, certainly not when I뭢 around. ?I뭭e been seeing loads of Tiger and I뭭e got to know the person.?
McIlroy and Woods played together for the first time in an official event in January in Abu Dhabi. Because the pairings in the FedEx Cup playoffs are determined by the players?standings in the points race, they have been grouped three times in the past five weeks (Barclays, BMW), including this week뭩 Tour Championship, at which they can claim a $10 million bonus.
밇very time I ask him, 멬hat are you doing next week??and he뭩 like, 멗뭭e got the kids and I can뭪 wait to do this, to do that,뮅 McIlroy said, according to the Times. 밒 can tell you he뭩 a very committed father, which is probably all because of what happened and wanting to make up for what he did.
밐e뭩 still a great player. We뭭e been seeing a lot of each other, in the gym, on the course.?
Golf fans are clamoring for a Ryder Cup singles match between McIlroy and Woods next week at Medinah. Even the Northern Irishman said he뭗 be up for a high-powered showdown.
밒t would be great fun to be part of,?McIlroy said, according to the report. 밫he atmosphere would be absolutely incredible. I might say to Tiger, 멗뭠l have a word with Jose, you have a word with Davis, and I뭠l see you on the first tee.뮅
No doubt, this rivalry is a friendly one.