Tiger Woods is very particular about making new friends in the golf community. The golf legend has made millions of fans with his amazing skills on the field. But he rarely allows people to become part of his personal life. However, Irish professional golfer Rory McIlroy is one of those few people. And there was a time when McIlroy had the highest order of appreciation for Woods.

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Rory McIlroy praised Tiger Woods’ dedication to golf

McIlroy is currently one of the very few players staying back on the PGA Tour. With many players shifting to LIV Golf, McIlroy has proven his loyalty to the former tour numerous times, and he has the support of one of his oldest tour friends, Tiger Woods. While McIlroy also has great respect for Woods and, in an interview in 2013, spoke kind words about the golfer’s talent.

McIlroy is also immensely talented and is compared to Woods in terms of golfing skills. However, despite the comparison, the two have been great friends for a long time now. In the 2013 interview with GolfDigest, McIlroy talked about how Woods had something that no other golfer had. “I’ve always said he’s one of the greatest fighters on a golf course,” said the Irish golfer. “He just sticks in there. That’s one of his biggest things. He can repeat day-in, day-out that attitude, and that, I guess, single-mindedness or that drive or motivation, whatever you want to call it, I think that’s his most impressive aspect.”

Read More: How Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are Actually ‘Growing the Game’

While Tiger Woods was going through his divorce, McIlroy was there to support him. That is when the two got close to each other. The two used to text and congratulate each other after each victory. Over the years, the bond between the two has strengthened.

McIlroy left Woods behind after winning the FedEx Cup

McIlroy won the 2022 FedEx Cup by defeating the world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and many other talented players. He became the first player to win the FedEx Cup thrice. And it is something that even Tiger Woods couldn’t do. After winning $18 million as prize money, McIlroy expressed how he had left Woods behind by setting the record.

“There are not many things you can say in the world of golf that you have done that Tiger hasn’t,” McIlroy said. “It is probably the only thing I will ever hold over him.” Woods is miles ahead of many golfers in setting records. However, McIlroy winning the FedEx Cup thrice shows that there are players who could one day eclipse the legendary Tiger Woods.

Watch This Story: Rory McIlroy Joins Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in Golf’s History Books