McIlroy grows in stature

Rory McIlroy took the biggest scalp of his career so far when he beat world No 5 Henrik Stenson to help GB&I to a 16.5-11.5 win over Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy.

At the start of this year, McIlroy lost to the world No 8 and eventual champion Geoff Ogilvy in the quarter-finals of the Accenture Match Play in Tucson.

How far he has come in such a short space of time. Since he won the Dubai Desert Classic in February, the curly haired wonderkid from Co Down has established himself as superstar in waiting - a fact acknowledged by Tiger Woods at Doral in March.

By April he was known around the world after coming home in 31 blows on Sunday to finish in the top 20 on his Masters debut. He was 10th in the US Open and 3rd in the US PGA last month. With his performances in the Vivendi Trophy, winning four points out of five, he is a potential team leader for Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie in Wales next year.

What a week it was for the Irish and what regrets might Peter Lawrie have over his decision to skip the last qualifying event!

Graeme McDowell looks major champion in waiting and only a political faux pas of mammoth proportions can prevent Paul McGinley from becoming Ireland's first Ryder Cup captain in Scotland in 2014.

The Dubliner was simply brilliant and has already formed a bond with half his potential team members: McIlroy, McDowell, Chris Wood, Ross Fisher and Oliver Wilson. 

As for McIlroy, it's wheelbarrow time now with the Race to Dubai at his mercy and the World Cup of Golf to win with McDowell.

McIlroy said: 

This has been a great week for my confidence. I'm still at the top of my game and I'm still playing well and able to take on the No. 5 player in the world, you know, so I've got a lot to play for and obviously The Race to Dubai, it's huge for me the next couple of months, so hopefully I can put in a couple of really good performances and try and win that as well.