Butch Harmon pinpoints the difference between watching Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods play golf

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Butch Harmon saw Tiger Woods close up during his heyday and he has known Rory McIlroy for 20 years now.

So there really can’t be many people in the game who know both players much better than Butch Harmon.

Woods won 82 PGA Tour tournaments throughout his career, including 15 major championships. Meanwhile, McIlroy has 30 PGA Tour wins to his name, including six majors.

There are many similarities between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.

Both were child prodigies and the exciting brand of golf they played as youngsters immediately endeared them to golf fans the world over.

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It’s difficult to compare Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy because the duo have played in different eras for the most part.

And, let’s face it, Woods’ record is on another level to anyone else’s in the game.

However, when the Northern Irishman is contending in majors, there is a similar feeling in the air to when the 50-year-old American was challenging to win the biggest trophies.

Butch Harmon pinpoints the difference between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods

Harmon is the most famous golf coach in the world and he is a hugely respected figure in the professional game.

He worked with Woods for nine years from 1993 through until 2002 and many suggest that the 15-time major champion’s swing was at its very best under Harmon’s tutelage.

He knows the golf swing inside out and has been named as the world’s best coach on numerous occasions throughout his career.

Harmon was a guest in the Sky Sports studio during Masters week.

And after McIlroy’s win at Augusta National, he was asked to share his thoughts on the Northern Irish star.

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“I just can’t say enough about Rory McIlroy.

“He handles things and makes us nervous when we watch him play.

“I was used to Tiger Woods running away with tournaments, it was easy watching that.

“Rory, who I love, I’ve known since he was 16, he’s a wonderful guy, but he makes you nervous.”

That is absolutely spot on from Harmon.

Rory McIlroy now an all-time great

McIlroy always keeps golf fans on the edge of their seats, while Woods was far more dominant for the most part when he won his majors.

The 36-year-old from Holywood, Northern Ireland, did win his first three majors at somewhat of a canter, but his last three have been incredibly closely fought-out.

The question now for McIlroy will be how many more majors can he win?

How much does he want to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats? If he remains motivated, there is no reason why he can’t reach double-figure major wins before he hangs up his clubs.

The six-time major winner is already an all-time great but that doesn’t mean there are not further levels for him to reach.

While Rory McIlroy will undoubtedly never match Tiger Woods’ records in the game, he definitely has a chance to end up as one of the top five golfers in the history of the game.