Don't poke the Tiger

McIlroy’s essay for Golf.com has kicked up a little buzz for its honest assessment of Tiger Woods current form. The result of which has spurred Lee Westwood on to warn McIlroy to take caution in his words.

McIlroy on Woods:

“I'm not sure we are going to see him dominate again the way he did. It's not that he's playing badly. He's simply playing badly by Tiger's standards. He's playing like an ordinary golfer. People expect more of him because of what he has achieved. As much as I would love to have the success that Tiger has had on the golf course, I wouldn't want to live his life. He has made the same mistakes as any footballer, or NBA or NFL player. Tiger is obviously different from the rest of us because he is a bit of a rock star. But he can't really take his kids to the cinema. It's a tough life because of what he has done and what he represents, being the first African-American golfer to break down the barriers.”

It's no surprise that the older and "wiser" Westwood would have a certain respect for Tiger, but it's interesting that he would go as far as to say that Tiger was the "classiest" player he's been paired with is. Perhaps Westwood feels Tiger has been kicked around enough.

In his pre-tournament presser, Westwood offered his young padawan a little advice on how not to poke the bear:

"That's the answer that a 21-year-old would give," Westwood said. "A 37-year-old is a little wiser. ... I've been playing with Tiger since 1997.

"I'll have a word with Rory later."

"There's an old saying that class is permanent and form is fickle. He's the classiest player I've ever played with, and I'm wise enough to know not to write him off. I've seen him play poorly and win tournaments."