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McIlroy, Woods want Ryder Cup singles battle

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SHIMA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 09: Mayu Hattori of Japan makes a chip shot on the 5th hole during the final round of 2008 Mizuno Classic at Kintetsu Kashikojima Country Club on November 9, 2008 in Shima, Mie, Japan. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

ATLANTA – It’s the match up everyone wants to see – Rory McIlroy, the fans, even Tiger Woods, although he was coy about the potential title bout on Wednesday when he was asked about it at the Tour Championship.

The elephant in the Ryder Cup room next week at Medinah will be whether Woods and McIlroy will clash in Sunday singles. For the Ulsterman it’s an easy choice, just not his choice.

“It’s not about one guy playing another guy. Of course there are a lot of people that would like to see it. It would be very exciting to be a part of, but I think that’s up to the captain,” McIlroy said.

Unlike at the Presidents Cup, pairings at the Ryder Cup are a “blind draw,” meaning each captain fills out his line up without knowing who his counterpart will send out in a particular match. That would drastically reduce the possibility of a Tiger vs. Rory bout next Sunday.

The possibility, however, of Nos. 1 and 2 in the world golf ranking playing for the Ryder Cup is enough to even interest Woods, who will be paired with McIlroy on Thursday at the Tour Championship.

“That would be fun,” Woods smiled.