Open Form Guide

08	07	06	05	04	03	02	01	00	99
-	42	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

In his only Open appearance to date the wonderkid from Northern Ireland shot the only bogey-free round of the first day to lie third at sunset. That was two years ago and an awful lot has happened in the meantime: he earned his 2008 Tour card in just two starts in 2007, became the youngest player in the world's top 50 at the end of 2008, won his first title at the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic in early 2009 and has now broken the world's top 20. And he's only just turned 20 years of age! An aggressive player, who can cope with the vagaries of the wind and has a fine touch around the greens, he has no problems adjusting to the demands of links golf. Indeed, he holds the course record at Royal Portrush (61) and has finished third and eighth in the Dunhill Links Championship. In the tournaments following his debut at the Masters there was a slight drop in form but in recent weeks he has improved, kick-started by a third round 65 at Wentworth. There will be a huge Irish contingent at Turnberry (the ferry service makes it Ireland's "home" Open venue). Don't be surprised if McIlroy gives them reason to cheer his every move.