I believe I’m best, says Rory

Rory McIlroy believes he is a worthy world number one and now he wants to prove it, starting this weekend at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

The US Open champion from Holywood tees off this morning leading a stellar European Tour field in its flagship event alongside world numbers two and three Luke Donald and Lee Westwood.

McIlroy was back in his hotel room 12 months ago contemplating his 24th-place finish in the event as Donald edged home in a play-off victory over Westwood to claim the title and replace his fellow Englishman as world number one. The Irishman has joined the top table in the intervening period, winning the US Open last June and claiming top spot in the rankings himself on March 4 this year following his Honda Classic victory in Florida.