McIlroy texts with Tiger after losing top ranking

Golfer Rory McIlroy, center, of Northern Ireland, watches the match between Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, and Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Golfer Rory McIlroy, center, of Northern Ireland, watches the match between Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, and Garbine Muguruza, of Spain, during the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Fla., Saturday, March 23, 2013. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Tiger Woods waves to fans as he walks off the 18th hole after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, Monday, March 25, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

HUMBLE, Texas (AP) ? Rory McIlroy sent a text message to Tiger Woods on Tuesday, congratulating him on winning at Bay Hill and taking over the No. 1 world ranking again.

Woods responded by telling McIlroy to get going and win this week's Houston Open. A victory would put McIlroy back at No. 1, a spot he held for 32 weeks before Woods' latest win.

McIlroy says losing the top ranking allows him to focus on his game. He's had a rough start to the year, with the low point coming when he walked off the course at the Honda Classic. He wants to build on the 65 he shot in the final round at Doral and says "everything's great" with his new clubs. McIlroy signed with Nike in the offseason.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-03-26-GLF-Houston-Open-McIlroy/id-427d0b82dd254d18b2ea074021006693

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