McIlroy, Spieth quash rivalry

– World No 1 Rory McIlroy (above) and second-ranked Jordan Spieth talked down their budding rivalry as the pair took differing approaches to this week’s $10 million Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

While Masters champion Spieth rates the PGA Tour’s flagship event as the most prestigious behind the four Majors, McIlroy’s late arrival, at lunchtime on tournament eve, might suggest he does not place the Players on much of a pedestal.

Not that McIlroy has contempt for the event. It is one the Ulsterman is keen to add to his glowing resume, but given his hectic schedule in winning the WGC-Cadillac Match Play last week, he decided less was more in the lead-up.

McIlroy played seven competitive rounds in San Francisco on the way to his 10th PGA tour win, with 69 holes needed on a mammoth weekend.

Consequently he figured that 18 holes in preparation for the Players Championship, or perhaps even less, on the famed TPC Sawgrass layout would be enough as he tries to improve on his career-best tie for sixth at the event last year.

The Northern Irishman downplayed his rivalry with Spieth, with whom he will play the first two rounds.

“There’s been four or five rivalries over the past year so it doesn’t really do anything for me,” McIlroy said.

The 21-year-old Spieth says he has a long way to go before being considered McIlroy’s main adversary. – Reuters

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