PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida, May 6 (Reuters) - World number one Rory McIlroy and second-ranked Jordan Spieth talked down their budding rivalry as the pair took differing approaches to the $10 million Players Championship on Wednesday.
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.