Golf Events / Paul Krishnamurty / 14 April 2009 /

Links master McIlroy warrants backing this week in the US and in the longer term at Turnberry, says Paul Krishnamurty.

Poor old Kenny Perry. After playing exemplary golf for 70 holes, and looking completely unfazed by the situation, he folded under the ultimate pressure. It seems a shame that a player who has won so many times will now be forever remembered as the man who spectacularly blew the Masters. Just ask Scott Hoch, aka 'The Choke'.

Furthermore, I wonder whether we'll ever again see a 48-year-old hold such a golden opportunity to become the oldest major winner in history. Given the conveyor belt of emerging talent, it seems unlikely. In fact, it seems just as likely that Rory McIlroy sets a record at the other end of the age scale by becoming the youngest ever major winner.

McIlroy was magnificent on his Masters debut. Because he finished back in 20th, having never challenged the leaders, some may see that effort as ordinary, but that ignores the scale of the task in hand. Perhaps more than any other course in the world, Augusta is a nightmare for course debutants, especially youngsters who have only very limited experience around the world. There is certainly no course like Augusta in Europe, where Rory has played nearly all his golf.

Twentieth was a much better Masters result than that achieved by Tiger Woods on his debut, and he was a year older at the time. It could so easily have been much better too, as he dropped five shots in his final three holes on Friday. These occasional disaster holes have been a regular trait during his short spell to date on the PGA Tour, but we should remember that they are an inevitable part of the learning process.

If anything, they make his achievements to date look even better. So far in five US starts, he's reached the last-eight of the World Matchplay and made the top-20 in every strokeplay event. Prior to that, his last 13 European Tour starts had yielded one win, five top-5s and a further three top-10s. In short, this outstanding prospect is already a model of consistency, despite carrying all the predictable weaknesses of a novice.

Clearly, a second win is imminent, and I suspect this could be the week. The key is in the venue for the Verizon Heritage Classic. Harbour Town is one of the very few links courses in the US, and a completely different order to the PGA Tour norm. OK, it isn't quite Scottish-style links, but this is golf by the sea, with a massive emphasis on shaping iron approach shots through the wind. It's no surprise to see that the best course records throughout the years are held by classy British Open specialists such as Ernie Els, Davis Love and Jim Furyk.

We already know that Rory, who grew up playing classic links such as Royal Portrush, is a master of this form of golf. In fact, despite his inexperience generally, McIlroy will have played more links golf during his life than most of his American opponents. He first emerged into the public spotlight with a stunning Open debut at Carnoustie in 2007. When he turned pro a few months ago, Rory gave us further notice of his potential by finishing third amongst high-class opposition at the Dunhill Links, and followed up with eighth place in the same event a year later.

Considering he's repeatedly been pretty close even on courses that suited his talents much less, its hard to see McIlroy being far away on Sunday and odds of [23.0] look a very reasonable offer.

Looking further ahead, it may also make sense to back him now for July's Open Championship at Turnberry. His reputation is inevitably going to grow by the day and one more win in the meantime would see his current quote around [30.0] tumble.

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