Maturing McIlroy calls talk of rivalry with Woods premature

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during a practice round in preparation for the 2013 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

AUGUSTA, Georgia - Golf fans have drooled in anticipation of a one-two rivalry between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, but the mop-topped Northern Irishman said on Tuesday that talk was premature.

"I don't see myself a rival to Tiger or to anyone," McIlroy said on Tuesday before a practice round at Augusta National ahead of Thursday's opening round of the Masters.

McIlroy, proclaiming himself 100 percent comfortable with his golf swing and new clubs, could overtake a resurgent Woods and reclaim the world number one ranking at the Masters, but the 23-year-old Northern Irishman reminded everyone he is still early on his golf journey.

"When you speak of rivals, you tend to put rivals who have had similar success," said McIlroy. "He's got 77 PGA Tour events. I've got six. He's got 14 majors. I've got two.

"If I saw myself a rival to Tiger, I wouldn't really be doing him much justice."

However, McIlroy made it plain he was eager to work on bridging the numbers gap starting this week at the first major championship of the year.

"Every time you come here to Augusta, you're wanting to win that green jacket, and every time you don't it's another chance missed," said McIlroy, who admitted that anything less than a win would be a disappointment.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (R) and his girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, stand together during the annual Masters Par 3 Contest at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

McIlroy started the year with an equipment change, a struggle to find his swing and a roundly criticised walk-off the course in frustration at the Honda Classic.

Determined to turn his season around in time for the Masters, McIlroy made a difficult decision to cancel a scheduled philanthropic trip to Haiti in order to work on his game at last week's Texas Open and suddenly it all came together for him.

A final-round 66 and a second place finish in San Antonio bolstered his confidence coming into the Masters.

"It was tough, because golf sometimes is a selfish sport and sometimes you have to do what's right for yourself," McIlroy said about bowing out of a scheduled two-day trip to Haiti in his role as a UNICEF ambassador.

"I knew I was letting a lot of people down with my decision to go to San Antonio ... I made a couple of tough phone calls. But I felt like it was the best way for me to prepare for this week."

McIlroy came away from San Antonio satisfied he was ready to challenge now at his "favorite tournament of the year."

"I'm very comfortable and I'm 100 percent there," proclaimed McIlroy about getting used to his new clubs. "I feel like they are a part of me now and that's the way a golf club should be."

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (R) reacts as his girlfriend, tennis player Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, gives him a club during the annual Masters Par 3 Contest at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 10, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]