Fine-tuning a major talent

2010 marked another significant step forward in Rory McIlroy’s professional career as he consolidated his position probably the best young emerging professional golfer in the world, which is no mean feat given the emergence of other stars such as Ryo Isikawa, Rickie Fowler and Matteo Manassero.

The fact that he won only one tournament, (the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow) on the PGA Tour, was in itself disappointing for Rory, given the opportunities he created for himself throughout the year. That said, the manner in which that win was achieved speaks volumes about the potential all the world’s best players see in him.

Quail Hollow has long been identified as one of the toughest venues on tour. It is a true test of a player’s golfing ability, examining every aspect of a player’s game. Having only just made the cut on 145 (+1), his final 36-hole total not only won him the tournament by four shots but it also bettered anyone else in the field by a full nine strokes. No wonder then that all the commentators were buzzing about him, particularly given the fact that there were no leading Americans really performing throughout most of 2010, with the exception of Phil Mickelson’s victory in the US Masters in early April.