Irish golf prodigy McIllroy sets eyes on Asian Open

Northern Ireland golf sensation Rory McIllroy hopes to endear himself to Chinese golf fans by winning his maiden European Tour title at the BMW Asian Open 2008, which will be held at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club from April 23 to 27.

The teenager has been making headlines across Europe for the past few seasons. As a 15-year-old in July 2005 he shot a course record 11-under par 61 - one eagle and nine birdies - at Royal Portrush Golf Club, one of the world's most famous links courses.

In August 2006 he won the European Amateur Championship at Biella Golf Club near Milan, Italy, after various domestic successes in Ireland. He was briefly ranked as the world's No 1 amateur in February 2007 after making the first cut in a European Tour event at the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic.

Last July, he shot a superb opening 3-under par 68 in the British Open at Carnoustie. It was the only bogey-free round of the day and put him one shot ahead of his hero, Tiger Woods. McIllroy went on to win the Silver Medal as top amateur, finishing tied for 42nd in his major debut.

McIllroy has been a golf star since he was a toddler. He cupped a 40-yard shot at age two and shot his first hole-in-one at age nine. He was a scratch handicapper by 14.

He turned professional on September 19, 2007 and made the cut in his first pro event at the British Masters. In his second pro event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, he finished third and earned enough money to become the youngest and quickest Affiliate Member to secure his European Tour card. He finished fourth in his third event, the Open de Madrid Valle Romano.

If McIllroy wins his maiden European Tour title at this year's BMW Asian Open, the Irish teenager, who turns 19 on May 4, will pip the great Seve Ballesteros to become the second youngest winner ever on the European Tour - Dale Hayes, the youngest ever, was 18 years 290 days when he won the 1971 Spanish Open.

"I am looking forward to playing in the BMW Asian Open and I will be working hard on my game as I hope to perform well," McIllroy said. "I have heard a lot of good things from the players about Shanghai and hope I will have time to see some of the city."

If McIllroy wins the BMW Asian Open, he will greatly enhance his chances of playing in this year's Ryder Cup, thereby beating Sergio Garcia's current record as the youngest player ever to play in the high-profile team event. Spaniard Garcia was 19 years eight months when he made his Ryder Cup debut. McIllroy would beat him by four months if he makes it onto Nick Faldo's 12-man team later this year.

In order to win in Shanghai, the prodigy will have to beat several world-class golfers, including majors champions Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell and Greg Norman. Current European Order of Merit leader Henrik Stenson, defending champion Raphael Jacquelin, and Miguel Angel Jimnez will also be playing.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/25/2008 page23)