Tiger: Rory will be a ‘great champion’

Four-time champion Tiger Woods last night backed Rory McIlroy to become a “great champion” for many years to come as golf’s biggest stars readied themselves for a Masters showdown.

With Woods, 36, and McIlroy, 22, being hailed as the next big rivalry in golf now the American is back in business after two years of strife on and off the course, this week’s opening major of the year is the first real opportunity to see the two protagonists battle it out at something approaching their best form respectively.

And 14-time major winner Woods, back in the world’s top-10 again following his victory at Bay Hill earlier this month said he saw a lot of his younger self at work when he watched the reigning US Open champion play.