Tiger Woods expecting battle with Rory McIlroy

Tiger Woods has admitted that the year of golf ahead will be exciting following Rory McIlroy's rise to world number one.

The former world number one has dismissed rumours of a rivalry with the Northern Irishman but he does believe that his own return to form will cause an interesting battle this year.

Woods said: "Well, I think every year is exciting for me.

"I have been in this situation before [when] it was Vijay [Singh] and myself and Phil [Mickelson] and Ernie [Els] were all going at it for a number of years. So now it is just a different crop of guys.

"[McIlroy has] got to continue to get better, because everyone else is. Everyone else is out here working hard to become a better golfer, and more consistent player. And he didn't get here by not practising."

McIlroy reached the top of the world rankings last week after a win at the Honda Classic.