Tiger Woods has admitted that the year of golf ahead will be exciting following Rory McIlroy's rise to world number one.
The former world number one has dismissed rumours of a rivalry with the Northern Irishman but he does believe that his own return to form will cause an interesting battle this year.
Woods said: "Well, I think every year is exciting for me.
"I have been in this situation before [when] it was Vijay [Singh] and myself and Phil [Mickelson] and Ernie [Els] were all going at it for a number of years. So now it is just a different crop of guys.
"[McIlroy has] got to continue to get better, because everyone else is. Everyone else is out here working hard to become a better golfer, and more consistent player. And he didn't get here by not practising."
McIlroy reached the top of the world rankings last week after a win at the Honda Classic.
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