Thursday 8 February 2018 18:07, UK
Jason Day believes Rory McIlroy shares similar qualities to Tiger Woods in his prime, ahead of the Northern Irishman’s debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
McIlroy makes his first PGA Tour appearance since failing to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship last September, with the four-time major champion showing signs that his game is trending in the right direction.
The world No 8 has posted top-three finishes in his first two starts of 2018 on the European Tour, with Day impressed with what McIlroy has to offer.
"He [McIlroy] is just explosive," Day told a pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. "Not only explosive off the tee and with his iron shots, but he can make a lot of birdies quickly.
"He's a guy that's not afraid of going low and lapping the field. We have seen that at the PGA and the U.S. Open. I was on the back end of the U.S. Open, I finished second there and I lost by eight.
"He's not afraid, which is how champions think. I think the biggest thing for Rory is the desire part, how much do you really want it, because he has the tools to be kind of Tigeresque.
"Obviously Tiger is Tiger, but to be in the same sentence as Tiger is pretty unique and special to be able to say that. I think he has the ability to go out there and win more Majors than he has right now and I'm sure that's what he wants to do."
Day tees off alongside William McGirt for the first three rounds, played across three different courses, while defending champion Jordan Spieth opens with world No 1 Dustin Johnson.
"This is a beautiful place to come back to," Day said. "We're obviously going to be blessed with the weather this week. Last year was a little bit different, but boy it's going to be something special.
"We're going to see a few firm golf courses which is going to be a change. That will be a lot different from last year. It will actually be a pretty, not quite U.S. Open-like test, but somewhat similar conditions at Pebble Beach, which will be a neat experience for all of us."
Watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday from 4pm on Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event!
