Tiger Woods offers unsurprising answer to Rory McIlroy Masters question
Tiger Woods says there is 'no question' Rory McIlroy will complete the career grand slam on the eve of the 2024 Masters at Augusta National.
Tiger Woods says there is 'no question' Rory McIlroy will complete the career grand slam by winning the Masters.
Woods, 48, met with reporters for a news conference on 9 April, two days before his 26th Masters appearance.
The hall of famer told scribes he is not here just to make up the numbers.
"If everything comes together, I think I can get one more," Woods said matter-of-factly.
"Do I need to describe that any more than that, or are we good?"
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Woods also dropped the bombshell that he could yet lead Team USA at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
The golfer had previously distanced himself from the role, suggesting his role on the PGA Tour's board is too important.
Woods joined the policy board last August and the circuit is at a crucial juncture, given the peace agreement with LIV Golf is yet to be consummated.
But, remarkably, Woods said he will meet and discuss the captaincy with the PGA of America chief executive next week.
It goes without saying that other than himself, there is nobody Woods would like to see in the green jacket more than McIlroy.
A reported asked Woods: "As someone who knows what it's like to win a career grand slam or slams, as Rory McIlroy tries to achieve that feat again this year, can you explain how difficult it is to win a slam, and do you think he will do it at some stage?"
Woods replied: "No question, he'll do it at some point. He's just -- Rory's too talented, too good. He's going to be playing this event for a very long time. He'll get it done. It's just a matter of when.
"But, yes, I think that Rory will be a great Masters champion one day, and it could be this week. You never know. I just think that just, again, the talent that he has, the way he plays game and the golf course fits his eye, it's just a matter of time."
Reacting to that comment, McIlroy said Woods' endorsement was 'flattering'.
"It's nice to hear, in my opinion, the best player to ever play the game say something like that," he said.
"I mean, does that mean it's going to happen?
Obviously not. But he's been around the game long enough to know that at least I have the potential to do it."
He added: "I know I've got the potential to do it, too. I've been a pretty good player for the last couple of decades."
Rory McIlroy Masters record:
2009: T-20
2010: MC
2011: T-15
2012: T-40
2013: T-25
2014: T-8
2014: 4
2016: T-10
2017: T-7
2018: T-5
2019: T-21
2020: T-5
2021: -
2022: 2
2023: MC
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