McDowell backs Rory to become major force

RORY McILROY might see himself as an under-achiever in terms of his winning ratio but pal Graeme McDowell has no doubts his Ryder Cup buddy will soon discover his killer instinct.

As McDowell prepared for the challenge of getting past the first round for only the second time in the WGC-Accenture Match Play when he faces debutant Heath Slocum today, he defended McIlroy’s record of just two wins in more than three years in the professional ranks.

“I think Rory handles himself extremely well for a 21-year-old kid. He’s tipped for not just stardom, but he’s tipped for the highest rankings possible. I think he’s one of the most talented players ever I’ve had the pleasure of playing with.

“Yeah, he’s only won twice, but he’s a young man, and he’s the number seven player in the world. So he’s got there with consistency, as opposed to just having big weeks here and there. He’s a hell of a consistent player.”

McDowell is tipping McIlroy to win this year’s Masters at Augusta National. Like the Holywood hotshot, he knows that it is just a matter of time before he starts to win big.

“He makes the game look incredibly easy. And I think he’s got a game that probably suits the likes of Augusta. The way he drives the ball, it’s only a matter of time before he gets his head around a golf course like Augusta.

“Yeah, his golf brain is young, but he makes up for it with a lot of talent and skill. And once the golf brain matures, and he keeps coming to golf courses like this, and Augusta, and Open golf courses, it’s only a matter of time until he gets his head around it and understands how to control his talent. And it’s going to be pretty scary what the guy can achieve.”

McIlroy finished a distant second to Martin Kaymer on his seasonal debut in the Abu Dhabi championship before fading from the lead to a share of 10th following a disappointing final round in the Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago.

He admits he would like to have won more than just two events in the three-and-a-half years since he turned professional. But having soared to seventh in the world and racked up three top-three finishes in majors already, he tees it up in the desert this week knowing that he can go all the way.

“The only thing I am disappointed on is only winning twice in three-and-a-half years, or whatever it is, since I turned pro. But apart from that it’s been – I feel as if I’m ahead of schedule.

“I didn’t think I could have got to this level as quickly as I have done since turning pro.”

As for his winning percentage, McIlroy shrugged and said: “Sometimes I don’t choose the right shot. And sometimes things don’t go your way. But I know there is going to be some point in my career when I have a stretch like Martin (Kaymer) had at the end of last year or like G-Mac, where you win four or five in a year. I am positive that that is going to happen at some point in my career.”

McIlroy roared into the consciousness of American golf fans when he reached the quarter-finals on his US debut in this event in 2009, only losing to eventual champion Geoff Ogilvy at the 17th. He faces Jonathan Byrd today.

Much is expected of him this time and he knows if he plays to his potential he will be tough to beat on a course that favours longer hitters.

“If I go ahead and play the way I have done the first two tournaments of the year then I know that I’ll be a pretty tough guy to get rid of,” McIlroy said. “I think he’s (Byrd) won two tournaments in his last 10 starts, so he’s obviously playing pretty good.

“I watched a bit of golf in Hawaii, at the start of the year, there, and he played very well (to win). And I’ll have to play my best or somewhere near my best to try to beat him.”