Woods: McIlroy can be number one

Tiger Woods tonight tipped Irish golfer Rory McIlroy to one day succeed him as world number one.

Woods, 33, was speaking at Doral after firing a four-under-par 68 in the third round of the WGC-CA Championship.

That took the 14-time Major winner to seven under par for the tournament in his first stroke-play event for nine months following reconstructive knee surgery.

Irish teenager McIlroy, already the world number 16, was bidding to chase down midway leader Phil Mickelson and become the youngest tournament winner in US PGA Tour history at the age of 19 years, 10 months and 12 days.

Asked if McIlroy could one day become world number one, Woods was unequivocal.

“There’s no doubt,” he said. “There’s no doubt.

“The guy’s a talent. Hopefully while I’m not around or while I’m around.

“Certainly he has the talent. We can all see it.

“The way he hits the golf ball, the way he putts, the way he can chip, get up and down.

“He has the composure. He has all the components to be the best player in the world, there’s no doubt.”

While Woods was rehabilitating his left knee following the season-ending surgery he underwent after his US Open victory at Torrey Pines last June, McIlroy has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the game, rubber-stamping his promise with a maiden professional victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in January.

Now, Woods, said it was just a question of waiting for McIlroy to mature.

“It’s just a matter of time and experience and then basically gaining that experience in big events.

“That takes time and I mean, jeez, he’s only 19.

“Just give him some time and I’m sure he’ll be there.”