McIlroy confident ahead of US debut

Rory McIlroy declared himself in confident mood ahead of his first tournament as a professional in the United States.

The teenager from the North, who shot to number 16 in the Official World Golf Rankings following his maiden pro victory in the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic at the beginning of this month, takes his first steps Stateside tomorrow at the World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play Championship at the new Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at Dove Mountain near Tucson, Arizona.