Former Europe Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes that a "head-to-head battle" between Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods would be "great" for golf.

McIlroy currently occupies the world number one ranking after winning two Majors in 2014, while Woods fell into the background after undergoing back surgery.

Woods, who is a 14-time Major winner, returned to action last month, and McGinley believes that the 39-year-old will begin challenging again this year.

"I saw Tiger play in his tournament and the one thing that was very clear, and speaking to some of the guys that have played with him recently too, is that he's got his distance back," McGinley told Reuters.

"If you are playing at the top level in professional golf now you've got to be hitting the ball a long way. Rory has got that, he's one of the longest hitters in the world, and it looks like Tiger has got that back. That's going to be a big asset for him.

"Rivalries are what sport is built on. For somebody to rise up this year and have a real head-to-head battle with Rory would be great for our sport."

McIlroy has four Major titles to his name, but is yet to win the Masters at Augusta.