Rory McIlroy said on Wednesday it would be "phenomenal" to have Tiger Woods return to competition at next week's Masters, adding that the game of golf is better when the 15-time major champion is playing.

McIlroy, speaking to reporters at TPC San Antonio ahead of this week's Valero Texas Open, was asked what Woods' potential participation in the Masters, scheduled for APril 7 to 10, would do for the buildup to the year's first major.

"For golf and for the Masters tournament and for everyone, to have Tiger there would be phenomenal. I think it just adds to the event," McIlroy said. "Obviously, it does.