McIlroy cools talk of Woods rivalry

World-number-one Rory McIlroy has insisted there is no rivalry between himself and Tiger Woods as they prepare to play each other in the inaugural Turkish Airlines World Golf Final

Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and a host of other Ryder Cup stars are participating in the inaugural Turkish Airlines World Golf Final, which starts today.

The eight-man medal matchplay tournament, played at Belek's Antalya Golf Club, features McIlroy, Woods, Lee Westwood, Justin Rose, Charl Schwartzel, Webb Simpson, Hunter Mahan and Matt Kuchar.

The eight players are split into two groups of four, with each golfer taking on the other three players from their four ball in a round robin format.

In the group of McIlroy, Woods, Schwartzel and Kuchar, for example, the Ulsterman will go head to head with Kuchar on Tuesday and the other two players over two sessions on Wednesday.

One point is awarded for a win and a half point is awarded for a draw, with the top two in each group advancing to the semi-final stage.

All the pre-tournament talk has focused on the current world number one the 14-time major winner, but McIlroy has played down talk of a rivalry.

"This will be the first match where we have played against each other head-to-head compared to individual stroke play so it should be fun, and it's a match I'd really like to win," he said.

"But while I would rather be a part of this than not, I'm in a great position being compared to Tiger.

"People who watch sports want to see some from of rivalry between myself and Tiger, but I don't see it as that's what Tiger and I have.

"I am just pleased to be mentioned in the same conversation with Tiger. As everyone knows, he's been a hero of mine growing up."

The winner of the tournament will receive $1,500,000 from a total prize pool of $5,200,000.

 

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x