Rory McIlroy wants leaders, rivalries to emerge: 'Golf at the minute is very wide open'

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy wants to be the No. 1 golfer in the world, or to just be considered the best. In his Shell Houston Open press conference, McIlroy admitted there isn't a star leading the way anymore.

"I think a few guys need to sort of put their hands up and try and be, you know, the dominant players in this game because that's what people like to see," he told reporters Wednesday.

With both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson struggling with consistency, and more recently injury, McIlroy feels something is lacking from the game without a clear cut leader.

It's great for the sport to have people who are up there week in, week out who win tournaments. That creates rivalries and that's something we really haven't had in golf for a couple of years, obviously when Tiger and Phil were going at it [we did]. But it seems there's so many more guys now that get themselves into contention and pop up and win.

McIlroy wants to take over as the leader on the PGA Tour. He thinks it would be good for the sport, and of course for himself, if he golfed to his expected potential.

"Me personally as a fan, it would be nice to see someone break away and I hope it's me. Golf at the minute is very wide open."