Rory McIlroy reckons after recently having lunch with Tiger Woods the American is in ‘good spirits’ and mentally is in a ‘good place’.

McIlroy and Woods clearly have developed a strong relationship since McIlroy sneaked inside the ropes at the 2006 Dubai Desert Classic as a pretend photographer to get a closer look at his idol.

Ahead of teeing-up in this weeks WGC -Mexico Championship McIlroy spoke of meeting-up Woods who is clearly no longer is a ‘resting position’ given he was able to drive himself to their luncheon appointment to meet with McIlroy.

“Tiger was in good spirits and great just catching-up with him”, said McIlroy.

Rory has lunch with Tiger and reports he’s in good spirits and mentally in a good place.

“The good thing is mentally he’s in a good place.  He’s got other things in his life that he’s interested in and it’s not as if it’s just golf.

“Tiger’s got other things and that’s great.

“I’ve always said golf is way better with Tiger Woods and Tiger Woods playing well.  He’s just struggled with his body over the past couple years. It’s unfortunate because it won’t allow him to do what he wants to do.

“He’s working hard to get back to competition. With your body and injuries, it takes time. However long it takes him to be healthy enough to play … even if he plays eight to 10 times a year, that’s a bonus for all of us. It’s a bonus for him, it’s a bonus for us and it’s a bonus for golf in general.”

“Again, with your body and with the injuries he’s had, it just takes time”.

After meeting Woods at sea level last week in Florida, McIlroy returns to full tournament competition in this week’s $US 9.75m WGC event high up at 7,300 feet in Mexico City.

And McIlroy has been thrown straight into the deep end paired with new World No.1 Dustin Johnson and in-form Hideki Matsuyama.