'No green jacket for you', a teasing Woods tells McIlroy

Tiger Woods of the U.S. and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland gesture as they prepare to take their tee shots on 2nd hole during the first round of the 2014 Omega Dubai Desert Classic in Dubai January 30, 2014. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

PARAMUS New Jersey (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy, the hottest golfer on the planet, is not thinking about taking the torch from Tiger Woods as the sport's next dominant player, but the easy-going Northern Irishman says he has already sparred with Woods over a potential rivalry.

McIlroy, winner of the British Open, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and PGA Championship in his last three starts, spent a day earlier this week with fellow Nike spokesman Woods in the New York area.