This kid can rule game for 20 years, say Irish stars

Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell have no doubt Rory McIlroy’s rise to world No 1 will mark a new era of golfing dominance by the Holywood hotshot.

The Irish pair know McIlroy’s game better than anyone on tour and also understand what it takes to compete at the highest level. Critics queued up to criticise Luke Donald and Lee Westwood’s crowning as world‘ number one’s top player because they hadn’t won a Major.

But McIlroy’s Ryder Cup team-mates have no doubt the reigning US Open champion is the real deal.