• European Tour

McIlroy thriving in Tiger's absence

ESPN staff
June 27, 2011
Montgomerie and Lyle on McIlroy and The Open

Rory McIlroy says he is aiming to profit from Tiger Woods' current plight, admitting it is easier to win "when he's not playing his best".

While Woods, who has been out of action since mid-May due to knee and Achilles injuries, has struggled with his game recently - he has not won a title since November 2008 - McIlroy has come into his own, winning his first major at the US Open and rising to a career-high third in the latest golf rankings.

With Woods unsure whether he will able to compete at The Open, which starts on July 14, McIlroy believes the American could struggle to recapture his best form when he does return to the course.

"The first thing for Tiger is to get healthy and see what happens from there," he told Sky Sports. "I don't know if anyone can answer if he'll get back to where he was 10 years ago, but a lot of people would like to see him back on the course.

"It's a good time for me to win things when he's not playing his best."

McIlroy, meanwhile, is refusing to fully commit to the PGA Tour, insisting he is not yet ready to leave Northern Ireland.

"It's a tough one because I'm very comfortable living in Northern Ireland and being with friends and family," he said. "If I joined I'd feel like I was giving part of that up. I'm not prepared to move away from home yet and base myself in the US full-time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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