The competition between Rory McElroy and Tiger Woods

The competition between Rory McElroy and Tiger Woods

The 21-year-old McElroy has the same demeanor as another former phenom at the age of 21, Tiger Woods. The similarities do not end with their early success. McElroy was unafraid of a potential run by the legendary Tiger Woods on the final day of The Masters and many said his poke at the sleeping giant would come back to bite him.McIlroy Tiger Said The Swing Change Does Work meant nothing by his comment the week of The Masters. In fact, McElroy made the statement as a matter of fact. He believed in himself and in golf that is the key to success. Once a golfer allows his critics and his competitors into his head that golfer is defeated. This is true for golfing in a PGA major or playing the local muni course with buddies for 10 bucks a hole.Tiger Woods learned a lot from The Masters as well. He will never admit it but the comment by McElroy had to give him a not so gentle kick in pants. Woods was no longer feared. A 21-year-old kid was not shaking in his golf shoes as the final round approached. Woods was once again motivated and inspired.

The fact that McElroy collapsed on the final day was not lost on Tiger. Woods may not have won The Masters but he opened a chink in the armor of the young ball striker, McElroy. These two will meet again and it will be eerily similar. They are both on a collision course for the U.S. Open to be held on the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, this June.Woods won the last event he played on the course. The 2009 AT&T National was won by an aggressive Tiger Woods that year. With a golf major on the line this June, this could be Woods perfect opportunity to break his drought and pick up his 15th major.