Rory McIlroy says Tiger Woods is "hitting it well", "chipping well" and described the 15-time Major winner's game as "sharp" ahead of The Masters.
Tiger Woods is set to deliver a "game-time decision" on whether he'll tee it up this week in what would be an incredible comeback following his horrific car crash in LA last February.
McIlroy has echoed the words of many, including Fred Couples, in saying Woods' game is in shape to compete as long as his body can cope with the undulations of the famously hilly Augusta National.
"I wouldn't be surprised [if Tiger Woods contends]. I've spent a little bit of time with him at home, and the golf is there," McIlroy said. "He's hitting it well. He's chipping well. He's sharp. It's just the physical demand of getting around 72 holes here this week. That's probably the question mark. But the golf game is there. So, would I be surprised? No, I'm not surprised at anything he does anymore."
The Northern Irishman also spoke about the change in atmosphere of the tournament since Woods' arrival on Sunday.
"Tiger has been wonderful for us all in this room. He creates attention on the game of golf that no one else can. That's great for his peers. It's great for the media. It's great for this golf club. It's great for everyone. So, any time Tiger Woods is involved, it's a wonderful thing," he said.
"I think in terms of the competitive nature of it, if he's in the field or not, I don't think it really changes much. You're trying to focus on yourself, and he can't stop you shooting a 67 if you play well. It's not like any other sport. So, I don't think that changes much."
McIlroy makes his 14th Masters appearance this week, where he'll seek to once again compete the career Grand Slam.
VIDEO: Things you didn't know about Rory McIlroy
-
Miles Russell Narrowly Misses Out On Victory At Prestigious Amateur EventThe 16-year-old finished T3 at the Jones Cup Invitational after a two-over 74 in the final round at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Georgia
-
LIV Golf Duo Set For DP World Tour StartsSergio Garcia and David Puig will compete on the DP World Tour before the start of the new LIV Golf season
-
Joaquin Niemann And Nicolai Hojgaard Accept Masters InvitesThe LIV player has received an invite for the second year in a row while Nicolai Hojgaard will join twin brother Rasmus at Augusta for the first time in April...
-
Fresh Drone Images Show Progress Of Augusta National Clean-Up Operation Following Hurricane HelenePer photos via Eureka Earth on X, several holes at Augusta National appear very different to normal after damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion Confirms He Will Give Up Major Starts In Favor Of Immediate DP World Tour ChanceChina's Wenyi Ding confirmed he will be leaving college and giving up starts at The Masters and The Open Championship in favor of immediately starting his pro career
-
'A Lot Of Damage' To Augusta National But Masters Expected To Be Held As PlannedAugusta National chairman Fred Ridley says The Masters will be staged on time despite extensive damage to the course caused by Hurricane Helene
-
This Much-Loved Masters Feature Just Made Its Full LIV Golf DebutThe 'Any Shot, Any Time' feature officially launched on the LIV Golf app in Andalucia as Sergio Garcia claimed victory at Valderrama
-
Are Masters Champions Exempt For Life?Winning the Masters comes with a lifetime exemption to future tournaments
-
The Amateur Playing In His Seventh Major And Third Masters This WeekCareer amateur Stewart Hagestad has made it back to Augusta National after another US Mid-Am victory
-
Scheffler The New Tiger? Time For Woods To Say Goodbye? 10 Takeaways From The 2024 MastersWe highlight ten of the key stories to come from the 88th edition of the Masters
