Rory McIlroy BIGS UP golf chances of Tiger's son Charlie ahead of The Match

Rory McIlroy says he was flattered to hear Tiger Woods' advice to Charlie Woods as he spoke at a news conference ahead of The Match.

Ben Smith

08 Dec 2022

Rory McIlroy BIGS UP golf chances of Tiger's son Charlie ahead of The Match

Rory McIlroy says he is excited to see how far Tiger Woods' son Charlie Woods can go in the game ahead of The Match.

McIlroy - who cracked up a television host earlier in the week with some sage advice - said Charlie "is a great kid" and he was flattered his father Tiger told him to swing like the Northern Irishman.

Woods will team up with World No.1 McIlroy to face Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas in the latest iteration of The Match at Pelican Golf Club on 10 December.

It will be the first time we have seen Woods play golf since his tearful appearance at the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

He was due to return at the Hero World Challenge - the tournament he hosts on the PGA Tour - but developed plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

It is a condition which causes inflammation and pain in the right foot.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Woods told the media: "I can tell you one thing. I have the No. 1 player on my team, so I'm good."

Asked for an injury update, Woods said:

"I can hit golf balls. It's just hard getting from point A to point B, so [the cart] will certainly help a lot.

"Being in a cart is a totally different deal. That's something I've done at home quite a bit. When I was trying to gear up and be able to play in the Hero and see if I could actually do it, the walking part was the challenge, it wasn't actually swinging.

"I've got to get this plantar to heal and that just takes time. It's not something that happens overnight. It's going to take a lot of rest and healing and unfortunately, treatment. It's a tough road."

McIlroy said if Woods can get the ball out in the fairway then the duo will stand a great chance of beating Spieth and Thomas, who are also making their first appearances in the franchise.

The Match will be a best-ball format.

McIlroy added:

"He's probably the best iron player that's ever lived ... probably the best golfer that's ever lived. Period.

"I think if he can just get it out in the fairway, and get some looks in the fairway, I think we're going to have a really good chance."

Scroll down...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by . (@golfmagic)

Asked for a response about Woods' advice to Charlie, McIlroy added:

"It's flattering that, in my opinion, the best player ever is telling his son to swing like me. My dad taught me how to play the game growing up, and his thing was to always hold your finish, and I think that's what Tiger's dad taught him back in the day.

"Tiger's picked up on that and tried to instil that in Charlie. Charlie is a great kid, and he is a great young player. We are all excited to follow his progress and see how far he can go."

Next page: Rory McIlroy's former agent praises LIV Golf