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 While Masters champion Spieth rates the PGA Tour's flagship event as
the most prestigious behind the four majors, McIlroy's late arrival,
at lunchtime on tournament eve, might suggest he does not place the
Players on much of a pedestal.
Not that McIlroy has contempt for the event. It is one the Northern
Irishman is keen to add to his glowing resume, but given his hectic
schedule in winning the WGC-Cadillac Match Play last week, he
decided less was more in the lead-up.
McIlroy played seven competitive rounds in San Francisco on the way
to his 10th PGA tour win, with 69 holes needed on a mammoth weekend.
Consequently he figured that 18 holes in preparation for the Players
Championship, or perhaps even less, on the famed TPC Sawgrass layout
would be enough as he tries to improve on his career-best tie for
sixth at the event last year.
"I don't think any tiredness is there. It's nice to get a couple of
nights in my own bed and get up here and I feel pretty fresh,"
McIlroy told reporters after spending Monday and Tuesday nights at
his South Florida home.
The Northern Irishman downplayed his rivalry with Spieth, with whom
he will play the first two rounds in a high-profile threesome that
also includes world number seven Jason Day of Australia.
"Not really, because it's been ... like last year it was Rickie
(Fowler), this year it's Jordan, it might be someone else, could
have been Tiger," McIlroy said.
"There's been four or five rivalries over the past year so it
doesn't really do anything for me.
"I don't think I need any extra incentive to get the juices flowing
this week. It's one of the most important tournaments of the year."
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Spieth made his Players Championship debut last year and finished
tied for fourth after carrying the lead into the final round with
eventual champion Martin Kaymer.
It was one of a number of failed chances the Texan had to win big
events in 2014, including the Masters, but he admitted this one hurt
most of all amongst his learning experiences.
The 21-year-old says he has a long way to go before being considered
McIlroy's main adversary.
"I could certainly appreciate if I could get to where he's at, but
right now I don't see myself there," he said.
"There's a lot of hard work that needs to be had to get there, and
once I am there it's certainly a huge goal of mine to make it
interesting with him and possibly take over number one."
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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