Report: Norman says Tiger intimidated by McIlroy
Greg Norman says Rory McIlroy has surpassed Tiger Woods, and Woods knows it, even to the point of being intimidated by McIlroy, according to a FoxSports.com article.
Norman says it's a natural changing of the guard, like Jack Nicklaus supplanting Arnold Palmer atop the sport, Norman replacing Nicklaus and Woods surpassing Norman.
"You've got to beat the guy you're taking over from to feel that you're the top guy, and Rory's starting to do that now," Norman told FoxSports.com.
Norman said Woods seems to be friendlier with McIlroy than he's been with rivals in the past, which Norman interprets as a sign of insecurity.
"What I'm seeing is that Tiger's really intimidated by Rory," he told FoxSports.com. "When have you ever seen him intimidated by another player? Never. But I think he knows his time's up and that's normal. These things tend to go in 15-year cycles."
Norman pointed to Woods' recent putting struggles.
"Look at Tiger's putting stroke," Norman said. "It used to be rock solid. Now, it changes from Fridays to Saturdays. And that comes from pushing too hard, wanting to win that major so badly.
"Tiger's pushing himself harder and harder now because he's not the force he used to be, and he knows it."
