Woods backs McIlroy to claim 'breakthrough' first victory of 2013 by year end

World number one Tiger Woods has backed Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy to claim a breakthrough first victory of the year by the end of December as he believes that the former world number one is slowly getting his golf game back on track.

McIlroy was on top of the world at the end of 2012, but he has had a turbulent season this year on and off the course after changing his clubs in January, a switch that was criticised by several experts.

According to Sport24, the 14-times Major champion said that McIlroy is playing and swinging better than before, adding that he now just has to make a few more putts in order to win sometime this year.

The report mentioned that the American lost to McIlroy in a lucrative head-to-head exhibition match on China's Hainan Island on Monday.

Stating that he has formed an excellent relationship with the world number six, Woods also said that they have hit off after they both found out that they are paired together in every tournament, adding that they both try to play practice rounds together whenever they can.