Tiger Woods has been a role model for Rory McIlroy, which obviously has led to the Irishman's rise in golf. It could lead to his fall as well.

Golf Channel analyst David Chamblee voiced his fears that McIlroy is engaging in an "extensive weightlifting" regimen, similar to what his idol used to do, that could have serious physical consequences later in the 26-year-old's career, according to Golf Channel.

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"I say it with a lot of trepidation because it's a different era for sure," Chamblee said, "and I don't know the full extent of what (Rory's) doing, but when I see the things he's doing in the gym, I think of what happened to Tiger Woods. And I think more than anything of what Tiger Woods did early in his career with his game was just an example of how good a human being can be, what he did towards the middle and end of his career is an example to be wary of. That's just my opinion. And it does give me a little concern when I see the extensive weightlifting that Rory is doing in the gym."

"Thus far," he added, "there's been no signs that it's adversely affected his game."

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McIlroy responded to Chamblee's concerns with a tweet of him --- appropriately enough --- working out.

Former Woods swing coach Hank Haney wrote a book titled, "The Big Miss," in which he chronicled Woods' obsession with working out that contributed to his Achilles and knee injuries, as told by ESPN.

Tiger, now 40 years old, also could be sidelined for all of 2016 as he recovers from a third back surgery.

But the training may be fine for McIlroy, who hinted that he doesn't intend to play past 40 years old, according to SB Nation.

"And while Woods regularly claims that he can continue chasing Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major championships into at least his mid-40s, McIlroy hinted that he won't be chasing little white balls around fairways and greens after the age of 40," SB Nation reported.

"I'll never be able to do for golf what Tiger did," McIlroy told BBC Sport via SB Nation."

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