McIlroy would enjoy facing Woods at the Ryder Cup
Published:Rory McIlroy would love to face Tiger Woods at the Ryder Cup later this year as long as the game of the world number one does not substantially improve in the next six weeks.
The Northern Irishman showed that he was in fine form ahead of Europe’s quest to win back the Ryder Cup from the USA on October 1st when finishing in a share of third at the US PGA Championship.
Woods failed to display the same level of performance at Whistling Straits as he could only finish nine shots outside of a play-off in a tie for 28th spot.
This was not enough to secure Woods one of the eight guaranteed spots in Corey Pavin’s USA team, but McIlroy thinks that the captain will definitely call on the experience and talent of the 34-year-old as one of his four wildcard selections.
McIlroy told the BBC: “I’m sure we’ll probably see him [Tiger Woods] in Wales.
“I would love to face him. Unless his game rapidly improves…I think anyone in the European team would fancy their chances against him.”
The difficulty that Woods is having with his game was evident at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, which was the event before the final major of the year.
He finished the tournament 18-over-par, which was his worst ever result in a professional tournament.
McIlroy is preparing to make his debut in the Ryder Cup, which Europe are 8/15 to win, but has experienced the pressures of team events in the past.
He represented Ireland in the World Cup last year alongside Graeme McDowell and the duo finished in a share of second, one shot adrift of the Molinari brothers – Francesco and Edoardo – from Italy.
The USA are 15/8 to successfully defend the Ryder Cup they won two years ago in Kentucky.
