Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods said on Monday he was looking forward to a “decade” of battles with US PGA champion Rory McIlroy as the world’s top two prepare to go head-to-head in China next week.
The 23-year-old McIlroy, who has won two majors in as many years, is viewed by many as the heir apparent to 36-year-old Woods, whose last triumph in one of golf’s major championships came at the US Open in 2008.
Woods’ victory at Torrey Pines came shortly before his career imploded amid a scandal surrounding his private life which saw the American drop out of the top 50.
However, three PGA Tour wins this year have propelled him to No. 2 in the rankings.
Now, Woods says he is ready to challenge top-ranked McIlroy and will aim to put one over on him when they meet on Monday, after his US side lost to the Northern Irishman’s Team Europe at the Ryder Cup last month.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun going head-to-head with Rory,” Woods said of their 18-hole medal-matchplay contest at Jinsha Lake Golf Club in Zhengzhou.
“We’re going to go out there and hopefully play well, give it a go and entertain the gallery,” he added, predicting there will be many more classic contests between them over the next few years.
“We’ve all seen how talented Rory is. It’ll be fun to battle him for the next decade or so and hopefully we’ll have many battles to come,” he added in comments released by the organizers.
McIlroy regained the world No. 1 spot from England’s Luke Donald following his US PGA Championship victory in August, adding to the US Open title he won last year.
The “Duel at Jinsha Lake” is expected to draw huge galleries as fans in China get a rare chance to see the world’s top two in action in a country where golf is becoming increasingly popular.
“I enjoy head-to-head events, so it’s great to do this in China,” Woods said. “I’ve played in China many times over the past decade, but it will be a first time at Jinsha Lake and in Zhengzhou, so I’m looking forward to the experience. I’ve heard the fans get pretty excited. China’s a growing market and what they’ve done in golf over the past decade or so is incredible. China is young in golf terms, but rising fast, especially with the sport joining the Olympics [in 2016].”
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
After nearly six years away from the NBA, New Taipei Kings player Jeremy Lin (林書豪) is set to participate in the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars mini-tournament as the coach of Team G League. The NBA announced Monday (U.S. time) that the Taiwanese-American player will join a trio of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers – Tim Hardaway Sr., Chris Mullin, and Mitch Richmond – as honorary coaches for four teams featuring 28 rising talents. "See you soon in the Bay," Lin wrote in an Instagram story sharing the news. As the All-Star Weekend will take place at
RSS