Tiger Woods, never quick to praise his rivals, seems to be making an exception in Rory McIlroy's case.

Perhaps it's because he knows what it's like to be the World No 1 when most young pros are still trying to find their way into big-time golf.

Perhaps it is also because he happens to like McIlroy who, at 22 years of age, became the World No 1 for the first time after holding off a charging Woods and Lee Westwood in Sunday's final round of the Honda Classic.

Whatever it is, Woods was lavish in his praise for the young Northern Ireland star before he teed off in the final round of the Honda Classic on Sunday

"He's a great kid, just an unbelievable talent and a really nice person to be around," said Woods, who would shoot a closing 8-under 62 to Westwood's 63 to get with within two shots of McIIroy's closing 12-under total

"He really understands the game, he's so young but he's already got a major behind him and you can see he's learning all the time. What I like is he's not afraid to try shots, that's cool to see," added Woods, who has never been one to praise unless he really means it.

"The only thing he's missing now is all the knowledge he needs and that's just a matter of time. It's just more years on tour, getting the right scheduling, preparation, the whole package. But you can see he is right on track. You can definitely see that."

Woods, who first became No 1 at 21 and has held the crown for more than 600 weeks at one stage or another, was clearly impressed with what he saw of the young Ulsterman when they played three rounds together in Abu Dhabi in January.

Now he is speaking the way Jack Nicklaus used to speak about him - though, being as young and competitive as he still is, you can be sure that Woods is not ready to hand over the crown on a permanent basis.

After his heroics on Sunday, the beaming American said that it was "just a matter of time" before he started winning again so you can be sure he'll be fighting harder than ever to get that No 1 slot back again.

Colin Montgomerie is one that believes that Tiger is going to announce his comeback in true fashion at the Masters, a view he's held since Woods' victory at the Chevron World Challenge.

"Does yesterday suggest anything else? On a course that he loves, I haven't changed my mind," said Montgomerie, speaking at Gleneagles at the launch of this year's competition for club golfers to raise funds for the charity set up in memory of his mother, who died of cancer in 1991.

The Scot nevertheless also sang McIlroy's praises.

"I thought it would be a lot longer than it was," said Monty of McIlroy's rise to the top, "but it didn't even take another major.

"Two years ago Tiger probably would have snatched it after coming up in the rear-view mirror, but all credit to Rory for being stronger and more mature," he said.

"You get Woods scoring 62 in the last round and you still win - that's a very good effort, isn't it? The best of luck to him.

"He could be number one for a while, but you've got also Luke and Lee (Westwood) and Woods is as determined as hell. He doesn't like being outside the top 10.

"I think it will be a Masters to savour, I really do - it's got everything going for it - and it will be a very interesting Ryder Cup later in the year, too.

"We've got the top four (German Martin Kaymer is behind McIlroy, Donald and Westwood), but I was looking at the rankings and the top 12 Americans are still ahead of us."

Golf 365