Rory McIlroy lines up a putt on the 18th on his way to a three-under-par 67 at the British Masters at Close House, hosted by Ryder Cup team-mate Lee Westwood.

Tiger Woods can walk away from golf with his head held high, having played “the greatest golf anyone in my lifetime has ever seen,” believes Rory McIlroy.

The former World No 1 was responding to Woods’ admission at the President’s Cup on Wednesday that he could “definitely” imagine a scenario where he didn’t return to competitive golf.

The 14-time major champion, acting as an assistant to captain Steve Stricker for the American team at Liberty Island near New York, is currently rehabilitating after undergoing a fourth surgery procedure on his back, and added “I don’t know what my future holds” when questioned about his recovery.

McIlroy, himself struggling with a rib injury this year and planning to shut down for the rest of 2017 after next week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, looked comfortable shooting a three-under 67 at the British Masters at Close House near Newcastle.

He addressed Woods’ comments at the conclusion of his round, saying that he had “spent some time” with the American over the past few months.

“He only knows whether he can do it, and if he doesn’t know right now…” said McIlroy.

“He’s taking it very slowly, he’s waiting on his doctors to tell him when he can do things again.

“He’s going to take their advice and not be maybe quite as stubborn as he was maybe back in the day.”

However, McIlroy added, if Woods never came back then his legacy was already secure.

“If he doesn’t play again, he’s been the greatest player that I’ve ever seen.

“He probably played the greatest golf that anyone in my lifetime has seen.

“I didn’t really see Jack (Nicklaus) play. Jack has a better record but I don’t know if he played better golf.

“If this is it, Tiger doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone; not to me, not to us, not to himself. He can walk away from this game with his head held extremely high, and he’s done wonders for this game.

“I don’t think there’s a single figure in golf that did more for the game in terms of bringing people into the game. He made golf cool in the 90s, when it really needed an injection of something.

“So he’s a legend of the game, and if this is it, then everyone should just applaud what a great career he’s had.”

McIlroy said his own expectations for the week were low, which probably explained his solid round of three-under.

“I feel like I’m not under any pressure to perform at all, and that’s probably the reason why I went out there and shot a decent score,” he continued.

“I didn’t feel like I did anything particularly great but I didn’t do anything really bad either.

“This golf tournament has had great support since it restarted a couple years ago, and this is the first time I’ve played.

“It’s a great date in the calendar, end of September, start of October. I feel like this event has sort of taken place of like the old World Match Play at Wentworth a little bit. You get good fields. The weather seems to be pretty good. I’m happy to be here and playing.

“I think this part of the world, as well, they haven’t seen a top-class golf tournament like this for a long time. They have come out in their numbers and it’s great to see and a pleasure to play in front of.”