Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in speed golf duel

Published on 27/02/2013 01:19

TIGER Woods and Rory McIlroy responded to their surprise early exit from last week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship by going head to head in their own private challenge.

World No 2 Woods and top-ranked McIlroy spent Sunday morning in a golfing duel at the Medalist club in Hobe Sound, Florida.

“We thought we would play our own match play final except it was over 36 holes,” the Northern Irishman told reporters ahead of this week’s Honda Classic.

“We had two matches. He beat me the first time and I beat him in the second so we’re even. We teed off at about 8:00 and I was home by 1:30 so we played quick,” added McIlroy. “He putts with the pin in...it’s speed golf. It was good, really enjoyable.”

Former NFL player and television presenter Ahmad Rashad also played with the pair.

McIlroy and American Woods have become friends in the past year, with the Northern Irishman now having a base near to the 14-times major winner in Florida and also having joined him in the Nike stable in January.