Tiger Woods has gladly accepted Rory McIlroy’s challenge ahead of this week’s Barclays Championship at Bethpage Park in New York.

McIlroy bravely threw down the gauntlet at the feet of the 14-time Major Champions joking he would love to kick ‘his ass’.

And Woods, never one to shy away from a challenge, has accepted McIlroy’s tounge in cheek comments.

Woods warms to McIlroy's kick ass Barclays challenge. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

Woods and McIlroy have been grouped together for the opening two rounds of the first event on the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup Series this year.

“It’s going to be fun for both of us,” said Woods.

“I enjoy playing with Rory, and I hope he feels the same way.

“I got a chance this year to play with him at Abu Dhabi in a practice round, and we really hit it off. He’s a great kid.

“I just hope that everyone just lets him grow and develop as a player because it’s going to be fun to see over the next 20 years how this kid’s career is going to pan out.”

And asked his impressions of the double Major winning McIlroy, Woods replied: “Rory has won a few tournaments around the world, not just here in the United States which is important.

“It’s important to win on different continents against different fields on different grasses in different environments … that’s going to serve him well going down the road.”

Woods is returning to competition for a first time since finishing a distant 11th place behind McIlroy in the recent PGA Championship.

“The PGA is the PGA. It’s passed. We’ve got five out of six weeks that are big weeks, and it’s going to be a nice little stretch there. I’m just focused on that.”