Superstars McIlroy and Woods set to tee off in Abu Dhabi... where their blossoming friendship began a year ago

By DEREK LAWRENSON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 18:57 EDT, 15 January 2013 | Updated: 18:59 EDT, 15 January 2013

It is not that long ago that Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were throwing barbs at one another. McIlroy was admitting his disappointment at Woods’s antics off the course and declaring his hope they played one another at the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor.

Woods was giving the young Northern Irishman his best Tiger stare and telling him: 'Be careful what you wish for, pal.’ Which just goes to show what a difference 12 months can make.

For it was during practice for the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship this time last year that the pair had breakfast together and then went out and played nine holes.

Blossoming friendship: Tiger Woods (left) and Rory McIlroy (right) will tee off together in Abu Dhabi

Stand-offish on Monday, they were like bosom pals come Saturday after playing three competitive rounds together and the friendship has blossomed ever since.

‘That was when we really started to get to know one another,’ recalled Woods.

'We played together and had a few dinners together. Now that Rory has bought a house in South Florida I can only see this thing developing.

'As all of you know, the first thing to say about Rory is that he is a really nice kid, and we also like to needle one another, which is always fun. It has been great to get to know him.'

'Before this event last year we’d say hello in passing but nothing else. Now we get on really well. I think once Tiger gets to know you and trusts you and lets you in, it’s great.’

Naturally, the pair have been paired together again this week for the first two rounds, starting on Thursday. Their joint benefactor Nike probably demanded it.

Prepared: Woods, McIlroy and Justin Rose are readying themselves for Thursday's tournament

Thus will begin a friendly rivalry that is likely to dominate the golfing landscape this year. Certainly that is how former US Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger sees it.

Speaking about McIlroy’s megabucks move to join Woods at Nike, he tweeted: 'Tiger will use it as motivation. I believe this is the defining moment of the Woods comeback.'

That comeback after three fallow years plagued by injury and scandal proceeded along satisfactory lines last year with three victories. Now the 37-year-old American is looking to build on it this campaign.

'It felt so good to be able to play a full schedule free of pain because I hadn’t been able to do that in a while,' said Woods.

In practice: Woods (above) and McIlroy (below) were on the greens on Tuesday

In practice: The pair were on the greens on Tuesday

'During the off-season I have been looking at continuing that progress rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Now the goal is to give myself a chance going into the final nine holes at the majors.'

Woods would never admit to anything as gauche as sending out a message to his Nike stablemate but it is clear he is not just using this week to boost his bank balance.

'I don’t know about a statement of intent but I do think it important that I get the season off to a strong start,' said Woods, who finished tied third in this event last year.

My choice: McIlroy backed Paul McGinley (left) to become the next Ryder Cup captain