Rory McIlroy is quickly becoming one of the most popular golfers in the world. The 21 year old phenom has already risen to #7 in the world golf rankings after turning pro three years ago at the age of 19. Tiger Woods has been the key to golf becoming more popular on a world wide level since he emerged on the scene in the late 90′s as a pro.

Since then golf has been starving for a player to challenge him as the world’s #1 consistently, helping create a rivalry. Mickelson is supposed to do that, but has never even been ranked #1 in the world. Singh did for a short period of time but hasn’t been able to challenge for a decade straight, plus he is in his mid 40′s already.

Every year we hear about these new up and coming young stud golfers, but how many of them really live up to expectations? Not many. McIlroy has done that and some, to be this good at his age is scary, this year he won his first PGA event at the prestige Quail Hollow Championship shooting a 62 in the final round to earn the victory. He’s already had three T3′s in majors in two years and finished at least T20 in all of them.

With Tiger’s life unraveling over the past 8-9 months, now in the midst of his worst stretch of professional golf the door has never been left further open for someone to challenge Tiger for world golf supremacy. If there is anyone that will be accomplish this once unthinkable feat it is McIlroy.

EA Sports also see’s it the same way.  This year when they made the Tiger Woods 2011 they decided to implement McIlroy into their commercials. This was the first time since the game was released with Tiger any other golfer has been featured in the marketing of the game.

Coincidence I think not. EA knows how good McIlroy is and want to see a potential rivalry to help grow the sport. So it was wise of them to include McIlory in their marketing plans.

What makes the potential rivalry even more intriguing is the fact that McIlroy isn’t from the US. The Northern Irishman hails from Europe which would help create more of an international rivalry; keeping golf fans on both sides of the pond interested in tournaments they both enter at the same time.

This rivalry could potentially get kick started at the end of September in Wales at the Ryder Cup. McIlroy already has his spot reserved with team Europe after making the team through points qualification.

However, Tiger Woods is not in the top 8 for points required to qualify for his American squad. In order for him to play in the matches he will need to rely on Corey Pavin selecting him as a captains pick.

At one time this was unthinkable, a captains pick for Tiger? He should be #1 on the qualifiy list without a questions. Even if he is playing awful and someone like Phil is playing out of his mind, maybe 2nd or even use his cushion to have seven Americans finish ahead of him and come in 8th place.

McIlroy is aware of Tiger’s struggles on the course, and he is anticipating him still being put on the team. It’s something he is looking forward to because it will favor his European team.

In a recent interview Yahoo Sports McIlroy had this to say about the prospect of facing Tiger at the Ryder Cup.

“I would love to face [Woods]. Unless his game rapidly improves… I think anyone in the European team would fancy their chances against him.”

“There are a lot of American players playing better than him at the minute but it’s always an advantage to have Tiger Woods in your team.”

“I think he’ll (Pavin) pick him. I don’t think it would go down too well in the States if he wasn’t picked.”

I couldn’t agree more with McIlroy’s breakdown of Tiger right now. There are tons of great Europeans right now, they should be heavily favored over the Americans with 7 out of the top 13 and 10 of the top 23 ranked players in the world hailing from Europe.

And yes if there was anytime McIlroy or any of his European teammates would want to face Tiger now would be the time. Even though he is still ranked #1 in the world Tiger looks more vulnerable than ever.

I love how McIlroy is this confident having no problem coming out making a bold statement like this.  The young kid thrives in the pressure and embraces the challenge.

Many people in the past have tried to take stabs at Tiger like Monty back at the 97 Masters saying he wants a piece of him; Tiger would go onto to win his first Green Jacket.  Or Ames stating he could beat him in the Match Play event a few years ago, he would go onto lose 9 & 8. Could these comments fuel Tiger, could it get him worked up and even more motivated causing him to dominate like he has in the past when people have challenged him?

McIlroy doesn’t care he will take Tiger on right now and he’s no Monty or Ames; he can back his play on the course. Since he believes that Tiger will be on the team while not playing well  this should be great news for him because it should make it easier for Europe to win the Ryder Cup.

Even though McIlroy is correct about other American golfers playing better than Tiger right now there is no way Pavin will not select him.  And America should be pissed off if that is the case; no matter how bad he’s played he still remains #1 in the World. If he was that awful he would have at least dropped down to #2 in the World.

I can’t wait to see what happens at the Ryder Cup, especially if McIlroy gets a chance to play Tiger in any of the matches especially in singles on the last day.

Written by

Chad Margulius