ManchesterGolfer
AKA.... Obi-Wan Ho-Nobi
- Jan 4, 2006
- 3,467
- 0
I have just been watching the Highlights from Abu Dhabi and in round 1 Rory McIlroy showed why 'I THINK' he will make as one of the Top players in the world and a Major title winner.... He Shot a 1st round total of 66 to be joint leader after round one with some impressive stats such as GIR 17/18 now thats great golf but it's not because he's short off the Tee playing percentages his 1st Round ave drive distance was 308 yards!!! He's an aggresive putter ala Tiger and he's ranked 40th in the world after little over a season on Tour. The way the kid got his Tour card was very impressive and he talks sense in his interviews. He's only 19 years of age and has a great future in front of him....I'm looking forward to seeing him make his debut over in the US this year. I think this kid is the most all round talented of all the young guns coming through now, including Tony Kim.
some stats;-
<TABLE id=tableStatsReuters cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=playersHeaderAlignLeft width="25%">Category</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2009</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2008</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2007</TH></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Stroke Average</TD><TD>68.3</TD><TD> 71.27</TD><TD> 71.29</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Driving Accuracy (%)</TD><TD>64.29</TD><TD> 56.78</TD><TD> 63.37</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Driving Distance (yards) </TD><TD>308.64</TD><TD> 295.29</TD><TD> 285.63</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Greens in Regulation (%) </TD><TD>80.3</TD><TD> 68.9</TD><TD> 77.78</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Average Putts Per Round</TD><TD>29.55 </TD><TD> 30.06</TD><TD> 30.58</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Putts Per GIR</TD><TD>1.72</TD><TD> 1.8</TD><TD> 1.83</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft><NOBR>Sand Saves (% / Total save attempts) </NOBR></TD><TD>80 / 10</TD><TD> 52.29 / 109</TD><TD> 54.55 / 11</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Here's a brief Biography of the story so far...
From the moment he recorded a 40 yard drive at the age of two, it was clear that Northern Ireland had unearthed another rare golfing gem. A glittering amateur career made way for a spectacular start to his life as a professional, culminating in him becoming the youngest player in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of 2008. Joined the paid ranks on the eve of The 2007 Quinn Direct British Masters after an amateur career which saw him rise to become the world's number one amateur. Played his first professional event as a 16 year old in 2005 and in the same year became the youngest winner of the prestigious West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships before representing Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup. He also shot a course record 61 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2005. In 2007 he reached the top of the World Amateur Rankings and caught the public eye with his superb opening three under par 68 in The Open Championship at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day. Made the cut in his first professional event and finished third in his second professional event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, earning enough money to assure his place in the top 115 to become the youngest and quickest Affiliate Member to secure his card, in just two events. Added to his growing reputation in 2008, finishing 36th in the Order of Merit and just missing out on his first title after a play-off in the Omega European Masters. Began the 2009 season with another play-off loss in the UBS Hong Kong Open but that finish propelled him to 39th on the World Ranking to ensure a Masters debut at Augusta National.
I think He's gonna have a big season this year....I'm not as confident as The Master that he'll win a Major this season but it wouldn't suprise me if he's won one by the time he turns 22. :wow:
some stats;-
<TABLE id=tableStatsReuters cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TH class=playersHeaderAlignLeft width="25%">Category</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2009</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2008</TH><TH class=playersHeader>2007</TH></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Stroke Average</TD><TD>68.3</TD><TD> 71.27</TD><TD> 71.29</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Driving Accuracy (%)</TD><TD>64.29</TD><TD> 56.78</TD><TD> 63.37</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Driving Distance (yards) </TD><TD>308.64</TD><TD> 295.29</TD><TD> 285.63</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Greens in Regulation (%) </TD><TD>80.3</TD><TD> 68.9</TD><TD> 77.78</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft>Average Putts Per Round</TD><TD>29.55 </TD><TD> 30.06</TD><TD> 30.58</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow2><TD class=alignLeft>Putts Per GIR</TD><TD>1.72</TD><TD> 1.8</TD><TD> 1.83</TD></TR><TR class=playersRow1><TD class=alignLeft><NOBR>Sand Saves (% / Total save attempts) </NOBR></TD><TD>80 / 10</TD><TD> 52.29 / 109</TD><TD> 54.55 / 11</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Here's a brief Biography of the story so far...
From the moment he recorded a 40 yard drive at the age of two, it was clear that Northern Ireland had unearthed another rare golfing gem. A glittering amateur career made way for a spectacular start to his life as a professional, culminating in him becoming the youngest player in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking at the end of 2008. Joined the paid ranks on the eve of The 2007 Quinn Direct British Masters after an amateur career which saw him rise to become the world's number one amateur. Played his first professional event as a 16 year old in 2005 and in the same year became the youngest winner of the prestigious West of Ireland and Irish Close Championships before representing Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup. He also shot a course record 61 at Royal Portrush Golf Club in 2005. In 2007 he reached the top of the World Amateur Rankings and caught the public eye with his superb opening three under par 68 in The Open Championship at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day. Made the cut in his first professional event and finished third in his second professional event, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, earning enough money to assure his place in the top 115 to become the youngest and quickest Affiliate Member to secure his card, in just two events. Added to his growing reputation in 2008, finishing 36th in the Order of Merit and just missing out on his first title after a play-off in the Omega European Masters. Began the 2009 season with another play-off loss in the UBS Hong Kong Open but that finish propelled him to 39th on the World Ranking to ensure a Masters debut at Augusta National.
I think He's gonna have a big season this year....I'm not as confident as The Master that he'll win a Major this season but it wouldn't suprise me if he's won one by the time he turns 22. :wow: