Ryder Cup 2012: Rory McIlroy 'close to Tiger Woods in his prime'

Rory McIlroy is playing almost as well as Tiger Woods in his prime, says Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

McIlroy goes into this week's event at Medinah as the world number one and a "marked man" in the eyes of Woods.

The Northern Irishman, 23, has won three times in his last five events - including a second major at the US PGA.

"I would say that he is, at this moment, very close to how good Tiger was in that time between 1999 and 2002," said European skipper Olazabal.

"He's full of confidence. He's got the whole game and in that regard it's great to have players like that on your team."

Woods won seven of his 14 majors in a dominant spell between August 1999 and June 2002, becoming the first player to hold all four majors in a row when he lifted the 2000 US Open, Open and US PGA and 2001 Masters - a feat dubbed the "Tiger Slam".

McIlroy added the US PGA title to his 2011 US Open triumph and followed it with back-to-back victories in the end-of-season FedEx Cup play-offs in the US.

"Obviously we have the world number one, he's playing great," Olazabal said. "Even though he didn't win the FedEx Cup, the way he's played the last few months, he's been outstanding."

McIlroy, who has been labelled a "target" by American Ryder Cup player Jim Furyk and 2008 winning captain Paul Azinger, last week laughed off suggestions from former world number one Greg Norman that he now "intimidated" Woods.

The pair avoided each other at Celtic Manor two years ago, where McIlroy won two points out of four on his Ryder Cup debut.

Woods, who is back up to world number two, has already said McIlroy will be the key scalp at Medinah this week.

"It's part of being consistent," Woods added. "It's part of being ranked number one, it's part of winning major championships.

"You're always going to want to try and take out their best player, and that's just part of the deal.

"That's a fun challenge. I certainly have relished it over the years and I'm sure he's going to relish it this week."

Friday, 28 September (all times BST)

23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day One

Saturday 29 September

11:00-13:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day One highlights

23:59-02:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Two

Sunday 30 September

14:00-16:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Two highlights

23:00-01:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Highlights from Day Three

Monday 1 October

19:00-20:00 - BBC Two & BBC HD channel - Repeat of Day Three highlights