LEWINE MAIR
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES |
was right up there with the best.”
In Europe, it is almost as if McIlroy is
filling in for Woods. If the cognoscenti
cannot watch the man who is the best of his
generation and arguably the best of all time,
they are drawn to the young man who could
be the next on-course Tiger. Playing in the
final group Sunday at Abu Dhabi, McIlroy
came up short, finishing one behind Ian
Poulter and two back of winner Martin Kay-
mer. But that didn't stop the comparisons.
“He’s the first European in a long time
to have a bit of Tiger about him,” said Colin
Montgomerie. “I don’t think I’m any differ-
ent from the other professionals in stopping
to look at him when he’s on the range. He’s
got this lovely fluid move through the ball.”
He is also blessed with what Monty terms
"that certain something."
“It’s to do with being young and being
British but there’s more to it than that,”
said the Ryder Cup captain. “A lot of people
think they could be watching this year’s
Masters or Open champion.”
Does he think that himself?
“Yes, I do,” he replied. “I really do. He’s
that good.”
It makes sense, mind you, to voice McIl-
roy’s own view. Namely, that he has been in
contention enough times to have more than
just the one European Tour victory on his CV,
even if 20 is no age to be getting impatient.
McIlroy’s self-assessment as a person is
as good as any. “I’m a normal guy but I’m a
pretty good golfer as well. I think my friends
would say the same.” Like most Irishmen,
he has what it takes to speak to anyone
about anything, though he confessed over
the weekend that he found it rather easier
to fall into chat with his mostly younger Eu-
ropean Tour colleagues than their slightly
older counterparts on the PGA Tour.
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