Battle of the heavyweights

The veteran, the rookie and the commentator — all three will be tucked in Rory McIlroy’s corner if the richly-anticipated heavyweight clash with Tiger Woods materialises in Augusta this week.

Paul McGinley, 20 years on the European Tour, Matteo Manassero, one of its youngest members at 18 and Sky’s Ken Brown, who has seen it all from both sides of the ropes, all expect McIlroy to provide ready answers when Woods and the rest of the world’s finest players shoot the tough questions at the Masters.

The shape of the golf course as much as the shape of Rory’s game informs their assessment.