‘Able To Win…’: Rory McIlroy Gets Candid About What Makes Tiger Woods ‘Stand Out’

There are not many golfers out there who don’t aspire to have a career like Tiger Woods. The golf legend has, after all, set the highest standard for a PGA Tour professional. Many fans have labelled pro golfers as the next Tiger Woods over the years, with the most popular being Rory McIlroy, a four-time major winner. Despite being often compared to the 18-time major winner, the world No. 1 recently revealed an aspect that separates them both.

McIlroy and Woods both share a close bond. In addition to being good friends, the two are also in business together. Perhaps spending so much time with him is causing the world number one golfer to resemble the golf champion.

Rory McIlroy gets frank about why Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer

The Irishman recently grabbed his first 2023 victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. He was certainly not at his best that week and nearly let the title slip through his hands. But eventually, he fended off Patrick Reed’s comeback and clenched the cup with a sigh of relief.

McIlroy is back in America this week, competing on the PGA Tour in Arizona. Yet his most recent win isn’t forgotten. On Wednesday, ahead of the WM Phoenix Open, the golf great was questioned about his win, by Sports Illustrated.

Read More – Rory McIlroy Once Revealed His True Feelings About Tiger Woods

He claimed it was rare for him to win when his game wasn’t perfect, and that’s what separated him from Woods. “It’s one of the things that made Tiger stand out all those years: he was able to win golf tournaments when he wasn’t at his best.” The 23-time PGA Tour winner was right, of course; the GOAT has seen many wins when he was not at his best. Perhaps because even when not perfect, his game was better than that of most of the others.

Rory knows he has a long way to go to be like Woods

In the interview, the Irish golfer made it clear that he knew he couldn’t hold a candle to the 82-time PGA Tour winner. But he wanted to be able to win like him. “Look, I’m not comparing myself for one minute to Tiger Woods,” he explained. “But if I can get better at sort of piecing it together and not getting—not wanting to play perfect golf to win golf tournaments.”

McIlroy hoped he could be like that too, and that even his off days would be enough to grab a win. He believed that was what made Woods the best in the world, and it was a weapon he desired as well.

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Do you think the Irish legend will ever be able to hone his game to that level? And perhaps even one day overtake Woods? Let us know in the comments below.