IT IS something of a cliche when a young athlete bursts on the scene that his or her potential had been obvious from the start, but unless you’re a two-year-old Tiger Woods filmed putting with Bob Hope for US network television, very few can attest to the veracity of the testimonials.

RORY MCILROY played the most impressive golf of the day and produced a barrage of birdies on the way to beating two-times US Open champion Retief Goosen in yesterday’s opening round of the €3.4 million Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin.

Europe take a remarkable three-point lead into the Monday singles at the Ryder Cup after a quite stunning session at Celtic Manor.

Rory McIlroy admitted he had experienced emotions from “opposite ends of the spectrum” after securing the first win of his Ryder Cup career at Celtic Manor.