Woods on allegations of age-related decline: 'You cross generations in this game of golf'

Tiger Woods isn't about to dispute the comments Rory McIlroy made last week - which got some people riled up - about Tiger and Phil Mickelson getting older, and being on "the last few holes of their careers." They are getting older. Facts are facts. 

Rather than pick a fight with McIlroy, Woods acknowledged the reality of aging. And rather than bemoan this reality, he spun it into a meaningful statement about the unique thrill of being a golfer. (He also took an opportunity to snipe at longtime rival Mickelson.) 

"I thought it was funny," Woods said of McIlroy's statement. "I mean, Phil has less holes to play than I do, though. (...)

"As long as you're still part of that conversation, you cross generations in this game of golf. (...)

"I think that's what makes golf so special, and that's also what makes it so enjoyable to play, is that you can play for such a long period of time and still be successful at it."

Woods said on Monday that he hasn't swung a golf club since missing the cut at the PGA Championship back on Aug. 8, and that he plans to get healthy and give himself two months to prepare for the Hero World Challenge, his annual fundraising event, in early December.

"I just hope it'll be me soon that's out there playing that well," he said, "but Rory right now is playing fantastically, and I'm sure he's going to continue to get better."