Former world number one Tiger Woods vows Rory McIlroy won't win a green jacket next year, even as the 14-time major champion hits the sidelines to rest his nagging injuries.

McIlroy bared that his idol has vowed he'll be back stronger next season. He told reporters, via Yahoo! Sports this week: "We talked about a few things and he's telling me like, 'I'm not going to let you win a green jacket next year."

The 38-year old Woods has had a forgettable, injury-marred season. He missed the cut at the PGA Championship which McIlory dominated for his fourth major title.

Still, the 25-year old Irishman says he appreciates what his idol has done in the past. "Just phenomenal, just to keep a run like this going and he's done like way more than me. Makes me appreciate how hard he worked and how dominant a figure he was in our game."

He added that he expects Woods to be back next year, saying Woods is that competitive to issue the warning to him. "Tiger has just got a more competitive spirit, period. Like he'll want to beat you at cards. He'll want to beat you at anything you're playing him against."

Woods has never won a major title since winning the 2008 U.S. Open. McIlroy, on the other hand, has dominated the sport this year. Still, the 25-year old is not ready to declare that he's the best player in the game right now.

"I'm just going to keep playing my golf and play as good as I can, and I'll see where that takes me. But I don't think any torch has been passed and I don't think any torch will ever be passed because I never think of myself in that way," McIlroy said.