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Ryder Cup 2012: Rory McIlroy 'close to Tiger Woods in his prime'
Ryder Cup
- Venue: Medinah, Chicago
- Date: 28-30 September
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live; daily text commentaries on BBC Sport website. Extended highlights daily on BBC Two.
Rory McIlroy is playing almost as well as Tiger Woods in his prime, says Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal.
McIlroy goes into this week's event at Medinah as the world number one and a "marked man" in the eyes of Woods.
Tiger Woods on Rory McIlroy“You're always going to want to try and take out their best player - that's just part of the deal. ”
The Northern Irishman, 23, has won three times in his last five events - including a second major at the US PGA .
"I would say that he is, at this moment, very close to how good Tiger was in that time between 1999 and 2002," said European skipper Olazabal.
"He's full of confidence. He's got the whole game and in that regard it's great to have players like that on your team."
Woods won seven of his 14 majors in a dominant spell between August 1999 and June 2002, becoming the first player to hold all four majors in a row when he lifted the 2000 US Open, Open and US PGA and 2001 Masters - a feat dubbed the "Tiger Slam".
McIlroy added the US PGA title to his 2011 US Open triumph and followed it with back-to-back victories in the end-of-season FedEx Cup play-offs in the US.
"Obviously we have the world number one, he's playing great," Olazabal said. "Even though he didn't win the FedEx Cup, the way he's played the last few months, he's been outstanding."
Woods aims to improve record
McIlroy, who has been labelled a "target" by American Ryder Cup player Jim Furyk and 2008 winning captain Paul Azinger, last week laughed off suggestions from former world number one Greg Norman that he now "intimidated" Woods .
The pair avoided each other at Celtic Manor two years ago, where McIlroy won two points out of four on his Ryder Cup debut.
Woods, who is back up to world number two, has already said McIlroy will be the key scalp at Medinah this week.
"It's part of being consistent," Woods added. "It's part of being ranked number one, it's part of winning major championships.
"You're always going to want to try and take out their best player, and that's just part of the deal.
"That's a fun challenge. I certainly have relished it over the years and I'm sure he's going to relish it this week."
Friday, 28 September (all times BST)
23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day One
Saturday 29 September
11:00-13:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day One highlights
23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Two
Sunday 30 September
14:00-16:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Two highlights
23:00-01:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Three
Monday 1 October
19:00-20:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Three highlights
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Comment number 42.
Crisp_Thieving_Goal_Hanger27th September 2012 - 10:56
Without any doubt your Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroys are key in these contests cause they're great players. But the difference makers in Ryder Cups are often those who raise their game and thrive off the environment. Think Poulter. Not usually considered amongst the serious challengers at the majors (with the odd 'nearly' exception). But my word does he turn it on for the Ryder Cup. Can't wait.
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Comment number 41.
jblond27th September 2012 - 8:36
rory is the best now, hands down. will he avoid injury? keep his stuff together? who knows? but, if he does, expect more majors and 'major' contributions to ryder cup wins. i just feel that europe is more up for the ryder cup than the us, just my two cents!
scouser in atanta, love the golf, especially this one!
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Comment number 40.
lettherebeequality26th September 2012 - 19:03
Well at least Olazabal said close. I mean give Woods the respect one of the greatest Sportsmen ever deserve. There is no doubt McIlroy is a gifted golfer who could scale the heights but Woods in his prime (and he is still a top notch golfer) was as peerless a sportsmen as there could be, in a sport which is not primarily a one to one competition, like tennis for example. Brinkmanship indeed.
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Comment number 39.
roddy26th September 2012 - 17:02
Exactly more intense on the player, its not a putt and a giggle anymore there is pressure.
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Comment number 38.
RVPISAG26th September 2012 - 17:01
We won't compare Woods and Nicklaus because they are two very different eras, but if we are talking multiple major winners (Els), surely there is none currently comparable to Woods? Woods also had surgery on his knee, I recall him winning a major carrying the injury. As for scrutiny, it is ADDED competition. Many a sportsman has 'choked' under such intense scrutiny from both spectators and rivals.
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Comments 5 of 42