NEWPORT, Wales — There is nothing like a little extra motivation for Tiger Woods — perceived or otherwise — heading into a big event.
So it took little time Tuesday for the subject of Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy to come up at Celtic Manor.
McIlroy has been outspoken in recent weeks about getting the opportunity to play in the Ryder Cup against Woods, given the world No. 1’s recent lackluster form.
Woods Asked his reaction to McIlroy’s comments, Woods wasted few words. “Me too,” he said. Asked if he cared to elaborate, Woods said, “No.”
“I would love to face him,” McIlroy said in an interview with the BBC last month. “Unless his game rapidly improves in the next month or so, I think anyone in the European team would fancy his chances against him.”
Asked his reaction to McIlroy’s comments, Woods wasted few words.
“Me, too,” he said.
Asked if he cared to elaborate, Woods said, “No.”
The Ryder Cup is always about those spicy little moments, and Woods long has been known to carry such grudges to the tee.
McIlroy, who won the Quail Hollow Championship in May for his first PGA Tour victory, likely will be paired with countryman and reigning U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell for his first Ryder Cup.
He tried to downplay his previous comments about Woods, pointing out that he uttered them the week following the Bridgestone Invitational, where Woods had his worst 72-hole tournament as a pro.
Full story: Tiger Woods responds tersely to Rory McIlroy’s comments – ESPN