Rory McIlroy brought his whirlwind life and golfing game to the US$5.5 million Omega Mission Hills World Cup for the first time yesterday and blew the field apart with good friend Graeme McDowell.
The two Macs, who were born in Ulster but represent Ireland in a strange quirk of the country's sporting history, laid waste to the Olazabal course with a sensational 14-under 58 to take a commanding three-shot lead over Argentina.
Even more staggering was that their display of perfection in the fourball (better ball) was still one shot shy of the World Cup record of 57, held by Argentina and New Zealand in 2000 and equalled by the US in 2002.
McIlroy is only 20, but is already touted as the player to usurp world number-one Tiger Woods. He led all the way to win the Dubai Desert Classic this year - his first win on the European Tour - has had 12 top-five finishes, has performed with distinction in the majors and three weeks ago announced he would join the US PGA Tour next year, as well as staying loyal to Europe.
In the past few weeks, the young Northern Irishman has duelled with Lee Westwood in the Race To Dubai, culminating in the Englishman winning the Dubai World Championship last weekend. It took a career-best performance to overtake McIlroy.
McIlroy has also broken into the world's top 10 - and earned millions of fans with his refreshing attitude and natural aggression. Little wonder McDowell calls him a phenomenon.
