TEEN prodigy Rory McIlroy can't wait for his first professional meeting with world No.1 Tiger Woods at this week's Dubai Desert Classic after enjoying "a whirlwind 12 months" since making his first cut at the Emirates Golf Club last year.
Last year, as a 17-year-old amateur, McIlroy finished tied for 52nd place at three under par after disappointingly carding a final-round 76 and was forced to forego his prize money.
But now the 18-year-old new world No.190 will be able to add any
earnings to his ever- expanding career total after making an impressive start to his brief professional career.
"Last year I went there as an amateur to gain experience," he said. "But now I am going back knowing I can compete at this level. I am not worried about Tiger, I'll concentrate on my own game and play the course."
McIlroy made his name at last year's Open at Carnoustie with the only bogey-free round on the first day, which saw the former European amateur champion a stroke clear of Woods.
He eventually finished 42nd and seven shots adrift of the American but, with the knowledge he can compete on the same stage as Woods, McIlroy is confident ahead of tomorrow's tee-off.
Eight-time Order of Merit winner Colin Montgomerie – who has never won at an event featuring Woods and partners him and Swede Niclas Fasth in the first two rounds – has warned McIlroy not to ignore the 13-time Major winner, but the ambitious Northern Irishman is confident he can continue taking it all in his stride.
At last week's Qatar Masters McIlroy matched new world No.4 Adam Scott virtually shot for shot in carding 66 in his third round which led the Australian, who went on to claim a second title in Doha, to rave about the youngster's potential.
"It's been absolutely fantastic, if you had said to me I would be here this year doing what I'm doing I would have said 'no way,' it just shows what a lot of hard work and dedication can do," added McIlroy.
"I have practised hard over the winter and I am seeing the benefits. My long game is solid."
On the US Tour, Australia's Aaron Baddeley won last year's Phoenix Open with three birdies in the last four holes and believes something similar will be required if he is to defend his title this week in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Twelve months ago, Baddeley fired successive seven-under-par 64s over the weekend at the TPC Scottsdale to clinch the second PGA Tour victory of his career by a shot.
"It's all about making putts because everyone is going to hit fairways, everyone is going to hit some greens," Baddeley said during preparation for tomorrow's opening round.
"The forecast is pretty good so you're going to have to shoot 20 under probably to win. Go out there, play hard, hit it straight and make some putts. That's the key. You've just got to putt well."
Scottsdale resident Baddeley, who took advantage of a stumbling finish by American Jeff Quinney to triumph last year with a 21-under total, is eager to build on a solid start to his 2008 campaign.
Buoyed by winning his first Australian Masters title two months ago, he tied for 12th at the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship and shared 13th spot at last week's Buick Invitational.
The full article contains 579 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
