The rise of Rory McIlroy

[Mick Mac]

Not many golfers on the forum perhaps - but anyone interested in sport should find the rise or Rory McIlroy fascinating. He's 19 years old, from Holywood in Belast and today Tiger Woods has joined the many others who have tipped McIlroy to succeed Woods as world number one.

Its amazingly quick, people in Ireland have known about his capabilities for a few years, but noone could really predict how the top Americans are raving about him. He has already won on the European Tour and challenged on the US Tour. The US Masters over Easter weekend should make great viewing, to make the cut would be an achievement, but it seems better things are expected of him even at 19. It seems great things could be in the making. When you see a young sporting talent you wonder about what the future many hold - its a fascinating prospect, and it would be good to see a golfing great from Northern Ireland. Perhaps the new George Best will be a golfer.

Woods tips McIlroy for World Number One

[????]

I do like a bet on the Majors MM! He's really been hyped a lot but it looks like he's got it all not like the recent "great hopes" from these shores.....nothing pesronal, I just keep losing money on Rose

[Jimbob]

the only cut i,d like to see young rory make, is to his hair. that recent comp he played in (?dubai open), he was a spit for side-show bob.

[red devil]

I love Rory's Caddy Shack look. I hope he doesn't get built up too quickly only to crash and burn. A lot will depend on his family and how grounded he is, do you know much about his background Mick?

[Mick Mac]

Well only what I head read RD. He won the world championship under 10s which put him on the map and I guess he really arrived when he won the West of Ireland amateur championship aged 15 which would have included all the best Irish amateur golfers. I played in Ireland about 4 years ago and they were all talking about him then. It amazing how far he has come in so short a time.

It seems people have reasonable expectations of him finishing in the top 20 in the Masters over Easter weekend. If he could achieve that it for me will make 4 nights of wonderful viewing on the BBC.

The americans have taken to calling him Ronald McDonald on account of his baseball cap and abundance of hair.