Rory McIlroy is no Tiger Woods, claims Johnny Miller

Sorry, Padraig Harrington, but Rory McIlroy won’t come close to matching Tiger Woods’ current mark of 14 major titles, let alone Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18.

Thus spake Johnny Miller, who -- don’t get the outspoken lead analyst for NBC Sports wrong -- believes the newly crowned British Open winner is a “special player.” He’s just not Tiger-special.

“Forget Tiger’s record. That’s an anomaly,” Miller told the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Bud Shaw (h/t Geoff Shackelford) on Tuesday about McIlroy’s chances to overtake either No. 1 or No. 2 in the race for total grand slam event trophies.

While Harrington has boosted McIlroy to smash the majors record, Miller, who was slated Wednesday to receive the 2014 Northern Ohio Golf Charities’ Ambassador of Golf award as part of this week’s WGC-Bridgestone festivities, begged to differ.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if [McIlroy] wins nine majors. In this era, that is really fantastic,” Miller said ahead of this week’s PGA Tour tilt at Firestone, where McIlroy and a talent-laden cast of 76 players hope to thwart Woods’ attempt to defend his Bridgestone title.

Much is riding on Woods’ start this week on a course he has conquered eight times. Should he surprise the pundits and come out on top, he would break a tie between Sam Snead and himself and become the first tour player ever to win an event nine times. Woods has also claimed eight titles at Bay Hill, while Snead was an eight-time champion at what is now the Wyndham Championship.

The first victory of his injury-shortened season -- despite the worst start of his career and starting the week in 215th place for the 125-person FedExCup playoffs and 70th for the 12-player Ryder Cup -- would likely propel Woods into the post-season as well as onto captain Tom Watson’s U.S. team headed for Gleneagles.

For sure, Woods has hardly a better chance to turn his season around than on a course he’s familiar and comfortable with and on which he nearly fired a 59 on his way to a seven-shot win over Keegan Bradley a year ago.

“That was a pretty nice day,” Woods told reporters on Wednesday at Firestone about the 9-under 61 he posted in the second round of last year’s tourney, a score that matched his personal best as well as his own course record. “To try and win the ninth this week, there’s no secret formula; it’s just go out there and play well.”

This week, at this venue, would certainly be a good time and place for Woods to show flashes of his former, pre-back surgery self.

“I’ve had some pretty good memories here, I’ve had some pretty good rounds, and some great moments on this property,” said Woods. “Any time I come back here it’s always a good, solid feeling and I’m looking forward to this week.

“I like this place,” he said with a smile, adding that Nicklaus was fortunate enough to play a grand slam event at Firestone.

“It would be nice if I could play a major here,” he noted. “I’ve had my share of success on venues that we’ve played tour events on, whether it’s Torrey [Pines] or Pebble [Beach]. This would be nice for me.”

The former world No. 1 added Augusta National to the list of Tiger-friendly confines, and Miller, for one, believes the track that hosts the first major of the men’s season is critical to Woods’ pursuit of that elusive 15th elite event and more.

“The Masters for Tiger signals a lot,” Miller said. “If he can win the Masters it can open up the door to his confidence and maybe tying or beating Jack ... He knows that course is sort of made for his game.”

Speaking of which, Miller reiterated his contention that Woods made a serious error when he ditched Butch Harmon and overhauled his swing, first with Hank Haney, and then with current coach, Sean Foley.

To Johnny, Tiger blew his chance to win a bunch more regular-season contests as well as majors when he began tinkering with success.

Analysts have made a cottage industry of reviewing Woods’ three swings -- the Harmon-built motion he used to capture the Tiger Slam in 2000-2001, the one overseen by Haney that helped him win six majors, and now, his Foley-inspired, post-surgery effort. The latest swing, which is markedly shorter and seemingly more restricted through the turn, has earned him an early exit from Congressional in his first event after his microdiscectomy in March and a 69th place at the British Open two weeks ago.

“[Woods’] career has been great -- but if he’d stayed with Butch Harmon he’d have won as many or more and stuck with the one swing,” said Miller, not alone among those who are not fans of Foley’s guidance, under which Woods has won no majors.

Woods’ approach to his game is the opposite of that of Nicklaus, who Miller claimed never changed his swing, putting stroke, or practice routine.

“He just can’t resist trying new things. He gets bored with one way of doing things. He’s always looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” Miller said of Woods’ seemingly insatiable need to change things up.

”If I was working with [Woods], I’d basically go back to him being quieter at the top of the backswing,” coach Johnny said. “Go back a little to 2000. I thought it was the best swing and the best golf he’s ever played.”

Woods, who, no surprise, was well aware of the chatter about his shorter swing, suggested that his 38-year-old, injury-plagued body was no longer able to produce the type of effort he showcased 14 years ago.

“Well I can’t turn that far. We’ve been trying to shorten it up over the years. A perfect way to do it is just have back surgery,” he said to general laughter.

“So all those geniuses out there,” he added (perhaps looking at you, Johnny Miller), “there you go.”