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McIlroy keen to do battle with Woods in Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy fully expects to see Tiger Woods at the Ryder Cup in October © Getty Images

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Rory McIlroy has fuelled the fires ahead of the Ryder Cup by declaring that any player on the European Team would "fancy their chances" against Tiger Woods.

McIlroy, who tied for third at the recent US PGA Championship, has already qualified for the October showpiece while world No. 1 Woods is relying on America captain, Corey Pavin, selecting him as one of his picks.

But although Woods has been struggling on the course in recent times, McIlroy firmly believes the 14-time Major champion will be selected as the US bid to defend the trophy.

"I'm sure we'll probably see him [Tiger Woods] in Wales," he told the BBC. "I would love to face him. 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."

McIlroy fell agonisingly short of reaching the play-off at Whistling Straits - which was eventually won by Martin Kaymer - but the Northern Irishman is remaining optimistic.

"It was my best chance to win a Major so far," he said. "I came very close but it just wasn't meant to be."

Another who came close was Dustin Johnson. The American received a controversial two-shot penalty on the last hole for grounding his club on sand to end his title aspirations and McIlroy was quick to offer his sympathy.

"If I was in that situation, I might have made the same mistake. It didn't look like a bunker. It was just a bit of a sandy area. It was unfortunate. He probably should have won two Majors this year," he said.

"He broke the rules. He grounded the club. [But] I think it's a stupid rule. There are a lot of stupid rules in golf but that's the way it is. It's so unfortunate. He's such a good player. The way he bounced back from the US Open and put himself into contention again in Major shows that he will win Majors in the future."

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