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Ryder Cup tensions build as Woods lines up McIlroy
Tiger says he wants to play the Northern Irishman after comments that he had lost his ‘aura’
As the countdown to the Ryder Cup continues, Tiger Woods inevitably remains the centre of attention, and he has a clear idea of which of the European team he would most like to prey upon - youngster Rory McIlroy.
The 21-year-old from Northern Ireland has been pulling Tiger's tail in the run up to the tournament, gleefully announcing that the world number one has "lost his aura" and indicating that he would be delighted to play a part in his further downfall by beating him at Celtic Manor.
McIlroy said this week: "Before I met him you feel he's superhuman but once you meet him you realise he's a normal guy and works hard on his game. But after what's happened in the last 18 months, I suppose a little bit of that aura is probably gone."
Those comments could be seen as McIroy rubbing salt in the wound after he took great delight in Woods' worst ever tournament finish last month, when the American ended 18 over at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational tournament.
After that the Ulsterman was inspired to comment: "I would love to face him [in the Ryder Cup]. Unless his game rapidly improves... I think anyone in the European team would fancy their chances against him."
But Woods, who doesn't take personal slights lightly, seems equally keen to meet his tormentor. During a press conference in which the stony-faced American once again ran the gauntlet of questions about his form it was pointed out that McIlroy wanted to take him on. Woods responded: "Me too". When asked if he wanted to elaborate, he simply said "no".
While McIroy has done his talking in the press, Woods, apparently, intends to do his on the golf course, or at least in private. It has also been reported that the pair have already exchanged words in the locker room, when Woods allegedly told the youngster "be careful what you wish for" in the wake of McIroy's comments about wanting to play him.
All eyes will now be on the draw for Friday's fourball matches which the pair could come face to face and spice up the tournament with a grudge match on the first day. ·
