Rory McIlroy has been playing professionally for only four weeks, yet his confidence is so high that he has targeted a top-two finish at the Portugal Masters that gets under way here today over the Victoria Course.
For any other 18-year-old, such ambition may seem lofty, but for this Northern Irishman it is nothing of the sort. After finishing third in his second event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship two weeks ago, he followed up last week with a share of fourth place at the Madrid Open that sealed his place on the European Tour for 2008.
McIlroy’s start as a professional has been spectacular and he has his eyes turned towards Spain and the Volvo Masters, the season-ending finale for Europe’s leading 60 players.