Tiger Ready Reclaim World No. 1
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AFP/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Both Nike spokesman Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will be playing in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Woods says his health last season was a big key in his success on the links.
“It was a big year in that regard, that I was able to play an entire year,” said Woods about his 2012 season. “I won a few times and I’m really excited about going into this year.”
Woods is currently right behind McIlroy sitting at No. 2 in the World Golf Ranking and says he isn’t putting too much pressure on himself.
“Won three times and low and behold look where I’m at,” said Woods. “It’s about winning golf tournaments and being consistent.”
McIlroy just signed a five-year deal with Nike and will have the swoosh on all his golf clubs and spoke about being on top of the golf world.
“Quite a lot faster than I thought it was going to happen,” said the 23-year-old. “It just shows what you can do when you practice hard and work hard.”
McIlroy recently had lunch with 18-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, who said that Tiger Woods needs McIlroy to push him to get back his number one title.
The Northern Irishman, though, says Woods knows what he needs to do.
“I don’t believe that Tiger needed me. I think he can definitely motivate himself without having me there,” said McIlroy. “It’s a nice compliment, especially from a man like Jack Nicklaus.”
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