McIlroy says 'ageing' Woods, Mickelson not over the hill yet

World number one Rory McIlroy is not convinced that the absence of former world number one Tiger Woods and American golf ace Phil Mickelson from the US PGA Tour Championship signals a changing of guard in golf, saying that they are just getting older.

The Northern Irish golf ace, reigning PGA Championship and British Open champion, noted Wednesday, the eve of the season-ending event, the passing years for Mickelson, 44, and Woods, who turns 39 in December.

McIlroy said that both Woods and Mickelson are just getting older, adding that Mickelson is 43 or whatever and Woods is nearly 40. So, he said that they are just getting into sort of the last few holes of their careers and that's what happens, Sport24 reported.

McIlroy said that it obviously just gets harder as one gets older, and added that he would be able to tell in 20 years about how it feels.

It is the first time since 1992 that the Tour Championship would be played without either Woods or Mickelson in the field, but McIlroy believes that they are far from finished, citing Mickelson's runner-up place at last month's PGA Championship and an injury-marred season for Woods.

McIlroy said that when Woods gets back to full fitness they would see him there.

The Northern Irishman is among five playoff points leaders in the field of 29 who can win the 10 million pounds playoff crown by capturing the tournament, the others being Americans Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan, Chris Kirk and Billy Horschel, the report added.