Anyone for Tennis Mr McIlroy?

Golf's new world No1, Rory McIlroy, tried his hand at a different sport, winning a rally against Maria Sharapova during his girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki's tennis exhibition.

Wozniacki summoned McIlroy from his courtside seat at Madison Square Garden and handed him the racquet in a lighthearted moment before the final game of her match, which she lost 6-3, 6-4.

McIlroy resisted at first but then placed the tennis ball down on the blue surface, addressed it as if hitting a golf chip shot, then picked it up and started a friendly rally with Sharapova, who is ranked No2 in the world.

After trading some gentle shots, the Russian sent an overhand long to the delight of the crowd and McIlroy quit while he was ahead, scurrying back to his seat.

McIlroy, who rose to the top of the world rankings after winning the Honda Classic in Florida on Sunday, said afterwards it was "nice to take a little break from golf".

The Northern Irishman, who was besieged by autograph hunters during changeovers, acknowledged he was not quite ready to eclipse Wozniacki in the world rankings.

"Another couple of years," said the curly-haired 22-year-old. Wozniacki said she did not send McIlroy sweets or flowers after his Sunday victory.

"I don't want his head to become too big, so no," she said. American Andy Roddick finished up the programme by beating Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6.

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Graeme McDowell congratulated Rory McIlroy for becoming number one in the world, saying: “He’s the best player I’ve ever seen.”

McIlroy, golf’s man of the moment, yesterday held off a challenge from the sport’s last big star, Tiger Woods, to win the Honda Classic in Florida and replace Luke Donald at the top of the rankings.

Woods carded an eight-under-par 62 but, coming from nine behind, it was not enough to stop McIlroy.

“He deserves it,” said fellow Northern Irishman McDowell. “I think he’s the best player on the planet right now.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen tee-to-green, period. I didn’t have a chance to play with Tiger early-to-mid-2000s when Tiger was the man, but Rory McIlroy is the best player I’ve ever seen.”

McIlroy’s putting has often been questioned, but it came to his rescue on the final day.

On the front nine he saved pars from 13, eight and 12 feet and all day he did not miss once from under 10 feet.

McDowell added: “As soon as he learned how to putt, he was going to be a dominating force, and you’re starting to see that now.”

McDowell feels a prolonged return to form from Woods would be good for the game.

“This golf season just got a lot more spicy,” he said.

“Obviously Tiger is back doing outrageous things that only Tiger can do, and you know, we have got a world-class field around him now as well.

“So I’m excited to be part of that.”