Tiger putting bite on Rory

Veteran draws first blood in Atlanta duel

Mark Lamport

TIGER WOODS delivered the best possible response to suggestions earlier this week that he is intimidated by Rory McIlroy as he outscored the world number one by three shots in the Tour Championship first round yesterday.

Playing with the mop-haired Northern Irishman in the final pairing in front of huge galleries at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Woods birdied two of the last four holes for a four-under-par 66 to burst into a share of the lead.

McIlroy, who led the FedExCup points standings coming into the PGA Tour's fourth and final play-off event, carded a 69 in his first competitive round on the challenging East Lake layout.

"I enjoy playing with Rory," Woods, 36, said after joining Britain's Justin Rose atop the leaderboard in the 2012 FedExCup finale.

"He's a great kid. Over the years there are certain pairings for me that I've enjoyed, and Rory is one of them."

Woods, a three-times winner on the PGA Tour this season, was paired with McIlroy for a fifth time in this year's FedExCup play-offs.

"I think that is the whole idea of the play-offs, trying to get the top players all playing more often but also in the same group," said the world number two.

McIlroy, who has overshadowed Woods this season by winning four times, including his second major title at last month's PGA Championship, relished playing again with the American former world number one.

"It was great," the 23-year-old Northern Irishman said. "I always say with groupings like that, it's a great atmosphere and it's a great buzz. I wish I could have shot a couple of shots better.

"But I'm in a good position going into tomorrow. I'll just go out there and try to play the same way, maybe hole a few more putts and turn what I shot today into something in the mid-60s."

McIlroy and Woods enjoy a burgeoning rivalry and appear to thrive in one another's company. Yesterday was no exception as they laughed and joked while striding down the first fairway before treating the fans to a series of clutch putts.

All this after former world number one Greg Norman of Australia had sparked debate when he said that Woods had effectively handed over the baton to McIlroy as the game's leading player. Both Woods and McIlroy laughed off Norman's suggestions in the build-up to the Tour Championship.

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