London, Mar 13 : Rory McIlroy, the world’s top golfer, wants former world No. 1 Tiger Woods to be fit for Augusta showdown after the latter limped out of GC-Cadillac Championships with another injury to his left Achilles tendon.

The 36-year-old, who was showing signs of a return to his old form, was out for three months with the same problem last year.

Woods issued a statement late on Sunday night saying he plans to have the injury “evaluated sometime early next week”.

But with the first Major of the season teeing off on April 5, the American is in danger of missing the Masters for the first time since he made his debut as a teenage amateur in 1995, The Sun reports.

And new world No 1 McIlroy - who is now the outright favourite - reckons the sport would be poorer for the absence of the four-time winner.

“It’s a shame, because he looked like he was swinging it really well and getting himself into contention,” said the Ulsterman. “It’s probably just precautionary, but I really hope he’s healthy for the Masters because obviously it would be a great week with him there,” McIlroy said. (ANI)