McIlroy confident as Woods stalks
09 Apr 2011 - 08:00:44
Rory McIlroy insists he is ready to win his first major - but a month after saying Tiger Woods was playing "like an ordinary golfer" he will now have to fight him off to land The Masters.
Ten under par at halfway after a 69 in Friday's second round, the 21-year-old Northern Irishman went into the weekend at Augusta two ahead of Australian Jason Day. Up from 24th to joint third after a nine-birdie 66, however, is none other than Woods, setting up the prospect of another thriller over the closing 36 holes.
Asked how he is going to feel with a Tiger - a 14-major, four-time Masters winner Tiger on his tail - McIlroy said: "I'll just be concentrating on the golf course. If you start thinking about anyone else here or let your mind wander at all it can cost you a couple of shots."
He added: "I'll be focusing on my targets, where I want my ball to go on the greens, and that's all I can do.
"I don't really care what anyone else does. I don't need to know.
"It will be great for the tournament if he's up there, but I'm two shots ahead (of the field, three in front of Woods and Korean KJ Choi) and I'm in a better position."
