• US Open

McIlroy hoping to cash in on Tiger absence

Rory McIlroy is still seeking his first major win © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: I'd swap No. 1 spot for major in a heartbeat - Donald
  
• Out of Bounds: Time for a young gun to become a major player
  
• Profile: Rory McIlroy | Tiger Woods

ESPN will be providing live commentary during all four days of the US Open from Congressional CC - along with all the news, views and opinion when it gets underway on Thursday

Rory McIlroy is bidding to bounce back from his Masters capitulation and he feels Tiger Woods' absence has opened the door for a new man to step forward.

Woods has not won a major since his one-legged march to glory at the 2008 US Open, but he is always to be feared - as he showed with a late challenge at the Masters.

Woods damaged his Achilles and knee at Augusta and after pulling out of the Players Championship after nine holes on account of injury, he has lost his race to be fit for Congressional this week.

McIlroy is confident Woods can get his career back on track, but believes his enforced absence opens the door for the 14-time major winner's rivals.

"It's obviously not great for the golf tournament - it would have been great to see him play," McIlroy, who let a four-shot lead slip away at the Masters, said. "But I suppose it leaves the door a little bit open for a few of the guys.

"Every time you have Tiger in the field you've got to think that he's going to have a good chance. To have one of the main contenders not here gives the rest of us a little bit more of a chance."

McIlroy feels Woods is right to take extra time out in order to boost his chances of a full recovery.

"You have to take care of your health before anything else," the 22-year-old Ulsterman said. "It was apparent that his body still isn't in a good enough place to play competitive golf.

"Hopefully he gets back on the course soon, but he still looked like he was in quite a lot of pain in the nine holes he played at The Players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.