Tiger Woods has laughed off Greg Norman's claim that he is "intimidated" by world number one Rory McIlroy.

The Australian said that Woods, who has won 14 Major titles, is aware that McIlroy is the new dominant force within the sport and "knows his time is up".

Norman was speaking ahead of this week's Tour Championship at East Lake, Atlanta - where the pair will tee off in the same group.

McIlroy, who won his second Major title at the USPGA Championship in August, has dismissed the notion that he intimidates Woods.

When asked about the claims, Woods jokingly replied: "It's got to be the hair."

He added: "It's not like somebody is going to take your block off. This is a different kind of sport - we play our own game and see where it falls at the end of the day.

"In tennis you can [intimidate your opponent] because you are playing against somebody. Here nobody is affecting your shots."

Golf's two megastars will be on opposing sides for the Ryder Cup, which takes place at Medinah, Chicago at the end of the month.

Both men have expressed their willingness to go head to head in the singles matches on the final day.

"I'm not going to sit here and lie and say I wouldn't enjoy it because I would," said McIlroy. "But I think that's up to the captain to decide where I play and where he wants to put me and whatever decision he makes is good with me."

Whereas Woods stated: "That would be fun."

The Tour Championship signals the end of the FedEx Cup, where the top player will receive a $10m (£6m) cheque.