McIlroy laughs off new nickname
Rory McIlroy has dismissed the idea that he fills Tiger Woods with fear, even though Woods, tongue firmly in cheek, has started calling him “The Intimidator”.
On the eve of their latest clash – one with a €8.69m jackpot at the end of it – McIlroy simply laughed today when asked about comments by Greg Norman.
Australia’s former world number one sparked a debate heading into the Tour Championship in Atlanta by offering the opinion that Woods now realises he is not the best player in golf any more.
“What I’m seeing is that Tiger’s really intimidated by Rory,” Norman said in an interview with the foxsports.com website. “I think he knows his time is up.”
Asked for his reaction, current number one McIlroy, winner of three of his last four events, said: “No, how can I intimidate Tiger Woods?
“I mean, the guy’s got 70-whatever PGA Tour wins, 14 majors – he’s been the biggest thing ever in our sport.
“How could some little 23-year-old from Northern Ireland with a few wins come up and intimidate him? It’s just not possible. I don’t know where he (Norman) got that from, but it’s not true.”
McIlroy does not think he has ever been intimidated by Woods either, though.
“I don’t think intimidated is the right word – more just in awe of his achievements, but never intimidated.”
The Tour Championship is the last leg of the FedEx Cup play-offs and McIlroy and Woods are paired together again because they are first and second in the points standings.
