Rory relishing Lefty pairing

McIlroy with Mickelson in Shanghai

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Rory McIlroy is looking forward to partnering Phil Mickelson at the WGC-CA Championship and believes there are plenty of similarities between his game and that of the world number three.

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The Northern Irish youngster has been paired with Mickelson, and also Retief Goosen, for the opening two rounds of the season's second World Golf Championship event which gets underway at Doral on Thursday.

Mickelson is the defending champion having emerged triumphant over the infamous Blue Monster course 12 months ago and McIlroy is a self-confessed fan of the 39-year-old.

The duo last played together at the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai last November and McIlroy is expecting to enjoy the experience once again.

"I think we enjoyed each other's company," he stated.

"I really like the way he approaches the game. It's probably quite similar to myself - quite aggressive and goes for shots that some people might not.

"I think it depends what type of mind you have. If you've got a more analytical sort of mind you'll probably play a little more conservative.

"The guys who keep it simple are probably the guys that will hit driver more and try to make the more aggressive approach."

Excited by Woods reports

While excited by the week that lies ahead, McIlroy admitted he had also been buoyed by reports that Tiger Woods is set to make his comeback within the next few weeks.

It has been widely suggested that the world number one has been back in practice on the range with a view to returning at either the Tavistock Cup event in two weeks or the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill just a few days later.

McIlroy is hopeful the reports will prove correct and is looking forward to welcoming the American back.

"It's certainly going to be interesting to see not just how he plays, but how he handles the whole situation," he added.

"I think everyone is excited to see him get back out onto the golf course and play golf.

"From the reports I've heard he seems to be swinging it well and as good as he ever was.

"It will be exciting the next few weeks, whenever he comes back. I know a lot of people are saying Tavistock or Bay Hill. It would be nice to see him back."

Tee-off times in the first round of the WGC-CA Championship
(USA unless stated, All times Local)

Starting at hole 1:
1625 Jason Dufner, Simon Dyson (Eng), Edoardo Molinari (Ita)
1635 Y.E. Yang (Kor), John Senden (Aus), Peter Hanson (Swe)
1646 Lucas Glover, Robert Allenby (Aus), Jim Furyk
1656 Ross Fisher (Eng), Sean O'Hair, Henrik Stenson (Swe)
1707 Soren Kjeldsen (Den), Jerry Kelly, Francesco Molinari (Ita)
1717 Heath Slocum, Kevin Na, Marc Leishman (Aus)
1728 Michael Sim (Aus), Oliver Wilson (Eng), Ryan Palmer
1738 Alvaro Quiros (Spa), Vijay Singh (Fij), Ben Crane
1749 Ian Poulter (Eng), Geoff Ogilvy (Aus), Padraig Harrington (Irl)
1759 Ernie Els (Rsa), Steve Stricker, Sergio Garcia (Spa)
1810 Dustin Johnson, Mike Weir (Can), Adam Scott (Aus)

Starting at hole 10:
1625 Ross McGowan (Eng), Anders Hansen (Den), Matt Kuchar
1635 Tim Clark (Rsa), Liang Wen Chong (Chn), Scott Verplank
1646 Nick Watney, David Toms, Charl Schwartzel (Rsa)
1656 Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen (Rsa), Rory McIlroy (NIrl)
1707 Camilo Villegas (Col), Lee Westwood (Eng), Martin Kaymer (Ger)
1717 Anthony Kim, Graeme McDowell (NIrl), Angel Cabrera (Arg)
1728 Steve Marino, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (Spa)
1738 Zach Johnson, Soren Hansen (Den), Bill Haas
1749 Yuta Ikeda (Jpn), Alistair Presnell (Aus), J.B. Holmes
1759 Luke Donald (Eng), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Kenny Perry
1810 Paul Casey (Eng), Stewart Cink, Hunter Mahan
1820 Brian Gay, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spa), Thongchai Jaidee (Tha)