Woods: McIlroy heads chasing pack

Rory McIlroy may not yet consider it a rivalry but as Tiger Woods bids to end a five-season quest for his 15th Major championship, it is the Irishman whom he believes presents the biggest obstacle to a fifth Masters victory.

It is 15 years since Woods staked his first claim to golfing legend when he romped home by 12 strokes from Tom Kite in his first Major as a professional. And having seen off a handful of “main rivals” from David Duval and Vijay Singh to Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els over the intervening period, the recently restored world No 1 approaches his 19th Masters appearance with a wary eye on the man he usurped at the top of the rankings last month thanks to wins this season at Torrey Pines, Doral and Bay Hill.

“I think that over the course of my career, I’ve had a few,” Woods said of his main rivals. “You know, certainly Rory is this generation.