McIlroy ready for tilt at top spot

Rory McIlroy has the chance to become the European Tour number one for the first time in his young life this week.

Victory at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland – first counting event for next year’s Ryder Cup – would lift the 20-year-old above both Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey.

And there is nothing either of them can do to stop him.

Kaymer is expected to be out of action for the whole of this month after breaking a foot go-karting and having surgery last week, while Casey returns from his rib muscle problem in Boston rather than Crans-sur-Sierre.

McIlroy had his own injury scare while moving house following his joint third place finish in the US PGA Championship last month.

He revealed on his website: “I was getting my keys out of my pocket to slice open a box, but sliced my finger instead.

“Anyway the good news is that it’s healing well. I’ve been out practising today and it feels fine.”