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Tiger Woods told Rory McIlroy that he isn't going to let him win the Masters next year

Tiger Woods told Rory McIlroy that he isn't going to let him win the Masters next year

Over the last couple of years, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have become legit friends. They both are under the Nike Golf brand, and have played together in made-for-TV events, had fun in commercials together and just recently, appeared side-by-side on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon".

Rory is in the field this week at the Barclays, and was asked about Tiger and their time together away from the cameras. McIlroy said that despite being pals, Tiger still wants to beat him in everything, and made it clear he's coming for Rory next season as Augusta National.

Rory said Woods told him, "I'm not going to let you win a green jacket next year," a fun little poke at McIlroy considering a win next year at the Masters would complete his career Grand Slam and give him a chance at his own "Tiger Slam" if he went on to win the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay.

While it is no surprise that Woods wants to win each and every golf tournament he plays in, it's fun to think of the two backstage at a late night show jabbing back and forth about their golf games. Rory, currently the best player in the world and a man that has won the last two major championships, is a big favorite to win at Augusta National next year considering how he is currently playing and how the golf course appears to set up well for his game (anyone that can move the ball right to left can have success at the Masters).

Woods, of course, is dealing with an injury that has basically made his 2014 season a nonexistent one in terms of competitiveness on the golf course, playing in just seven events all year and carding just a single top-25.

But, if Woods is healthy, he can and will be a factor at any major he plays. Despite not winning one since 2008, he finished T-4 at Augusta in 2013 and T-6 at the British Open, so being in the conversation if he is 100 percent healthy is an absolute possibility.

A Tiger-Rory battle at an upcoming major is exactly what the golf world wants, and if it happens as soon as the Masters, it will be must-see TV for anyone that follows sports in any capacity.