Rory McIlroy is the New Sensation in the World of Golf

Northern Ireland has produced many notable golfers over the years, Darren Clarke and Graeme McDowell are just two that are or have been highly ranked world stars and both have been big tournament winners and Ryder Cup players.

They will also both be looking over their formidable shoulders at the new kid on the block who arrived on the world golf stage recently with an almighty crash. His name is Rory McIlroy, aged just 19 and who became only the seventh teenager to win a European Tour event, when he won the Dubai Desert Classic.

The win hoisted Rory into second place in the Race to Dubai, formerly known as the European Order of Merit, behind leader, Sergio Garcia, who himself became a teenage sensation when he won the German Masters when also aged 19. In addition, Rory has rocketed into 16th place in the world rankings and is now the seventh highest placed European and he sits ahead of players of the calibre of Adam Scott, Paul Casey, Stewart Cink and Masters champion, Trevor Immelmann.

Winning the Dubai Desert Classic when he was up against atop quality field was no mean feat and a reward for some highly consistent performances over recent times, where he has finished in the top five in his last seven events. Quite rightly, he is already being described as a superstar of the future. It should be remembered that the winner of the 2008 Dubai tournament was none other than world number one, Tiger Woods, who had also won the tournament in 2006. Other past winners have included the likes of Ernie Els (twice), Jose Maria Olazabal, Mark O’Meara, Fred Couples and Seve Ballesteros; all Major winners in their time.

Next up for Rory is the World Golf Championship Accenture Match Play event, won last year by Woods and which is competed for by the top 64 players in the world. It is a huge milestone for the young Ulsterman, but he will go there without fear and knowing that he is just as capable of winning as easy as the next man.

It’s probably too early to herald the arrival of a future Tiger Woods, but it is not too early to send out a clear message that Rory McIlroy has the talent to get close, whether it will be as soon as this year or not, he certainly has got time on his side. Bookmakers have been quick to react to McIlroy's success and he is already prominent in the US Masters Betting Odds in April, which will be his first tilt at a Major.