Holywood star heads for big stage

Walker Cup 2007 countdown/Rory McIlroy interview: Paul Gallaghertalks to the County Down prodigy, who still has unfinished business with the amateurs before taking on the big boys

Rory McIlroy was on a well-earned break in Dubai when he faced an "anxious" wait for the phone call that would confirm his place on this year's Walker Cup team. In truth there was never any danger of him not teeing it up at Royal County Down next month. After all, he has been building up to this point for two years, a point that will serve as the fitting full-stop to a glittering amateur career before a new chapter begins in the professional ranks.

Last week McIlroy was attending Walker Cup training at Newcastle. And in the new surrounds of the upstairs lounge at RCD, he gave the impression of an individual in control of his destiny: relaxed in conversation, supremely confident, yet easy-going and amiable.

The views beyond the bay windows reveal the links challenge that lies ahead when Britain and Ireland take on the Americans, a challenge this local 18-year-old knows intimately.

He also knows his stock is sky-high just now, as the BBC cameras waiting in the gardens below testify. Yet through all the exposure - heightened since the British Open - McIlroy simply cannot wait to get going and let his golf do the talking.

"First of all, it's always nice to have it confirmed you're on the team," he explains. "I was always expecting a call but it was after 9pm that Sunday in Dubai and still nothing.

"I was thinking they haven't phoned me yet and was getting a bit anxious, thinking what's happening here," he adds with a mischievous grin. "But then Colin (Dalgleish, team captain) rang just after dinner and said you're on the team. I slept well that night."

McIlroy is extremely familiar with the RCD layout, not only because it's just 30 miles from his home in Holywood, but also because he made a commitment to come down and play every opportunity he got through the winter because he was pretty certain he'd make the team.

"The more you play this place the better because there are certain lines you must take off tees and so many different ways to play the holes," he says, making specific reference to the blind shots on the traditional Old Tom Morris design.

"I don't mind the blind shots at all because once you've played the course they shouldn't be blind anymore; you should know where to hit it.

"I love the way the holes cut through the sand dunes, especially on the early holes. Then coming back with the mountains as a backdrop is just fantastic. This is going to be a great matchplay course which also has a very strong finish, culminating in the difficult par-five 18th, where anything can happen from eagle to double bogey. Just think, playing that hole could win us or lose us the Walker Cup.

"I grew up on links golf, first watching my dad (Gerry, who used to play off scratch) compete in the North at Royal Portrush every summer, then obviously playing in all the GUI Irish championships on great links courses."

Last week McIlroy arrived for the practice session nursing a sore back after "spraining one of the joints which holds the last two vertebrae" when playing a bunker shot at the Rosapenna Scratch Cup in Donegal.

Though that prevented him fully participating, he walked the course, played wonderful pitch and approach shots. More importantly, he shared jokes as well as local knowledge with his team-mates.

"Everyone on our team has played a lot of links golf and that's going to stand us in good stead because we'll be able to hit shots the Americans can't hit. And if the wind gets up we'll definitely be favourites."

Speaking of favourites, McIlroy is under no illusion about the weight of expectation the two local players will bring to this party.

"I think everything that happened at the Open you can probably multiply tenfold. Everyone I know is going to be here (at RCD): friends and family, friends of family, you name it. The number of people will be phenomenal," says the teenager, who is only too glad to have his good mate Johnny Caldwell on the team to share the experience (he also reckons Richard Kilpatrick was unlucky not to get picked).

"Johnny on the team is definitely better for me. I know all the guys really well but he is just 10 minutes up the road from me in Clandeboye.

"To hopefully have someone to share the moment on the first tee come Saturday morning would be great for both of us," says McIlroy, hinting the Ulster pair could play together in the foursomes as Britain and Ireland strive to win the trophy back.

All that still lies ahead, and on this particular evening McIlroy finds himself in reflective mood when reminded of what he has already achieved while still so young.

"I was actually talking to dad about this recently. At the time I didn't think it was young but looking back on winning, say, the West at 15, then the Irish Close when I just turned 16, now I realise, wow, that was really young, younger than anyone else did it.

"To have had such an illustrious amateur career and still only be 18 is pretty awesome, to be honest," he says, proudly reflecting on the support and good advice his father and mother Rosie have always given him. They supported his decision to leave school at Sullivan Upper before doing his GCSEs, safe in the knowledge he could still return to academia if the golfing adventure went awry. Not a likely scenario, of course, if performances so far are anything to go by.

The plus-six handicapper says shooting the course-record 61 in the North at Royal Portrush two years ago always gets mentioned as a high point, "and it was".

"Winning the West and Close so young was also great but retaining both titles the following year was really special."

Digging deep into this rich trove of achievement ever since, as a nine-year-old, McIlroy won the World under-10 championship at Doral, Florida, you find any number of treasures to choose from.

"I also look back on the Sherry Cup in Spain this year. Denmark beat Ireland by one just shot but it would have been great to win as a team plus my individual win.

"Then there was winning the European Amateur title in Biella in Italy last year - I almost forgot about that one," he quips. "That was a nice one, especially with all my Ireland team-mates there, and the way I won it as was nice too; I led from start to finish (18 under).

"But the best moment of all so far was winning the European Team Championships at Western Gailes last month," beams McIlroy, referring to Ireland's first win in the prestigious event for 20 years.

"Even Padraig (Harrington) or Darren (Clarke) or Paul (McGinley) . . . never managed it, which shows you the measure of the achievement.

"I've played on many Ireland teams since I was 14, plus competed in the Eisenhower Trophy, but to win at Western Gailes and share it with the team was amazing."

Quite something when you throw into the mix his heroics at Carnoustie, where he was the only player not to make bogey on the first day, opening with a round of 68, before going on to lift the silver medal.

Golf in Ireland has never been in better health as one success story follows another. These are great times and should be cherished. And McIlroy has woven a glittering thread of his own into this rich golfing tapestry.

Does it make him feel proud?

"Yeah, I think so, definitely, hard to comprehend sometimes," he says a little bashfully.

"I'm still only 18, but I think what Padraig has done for Irish golf is phenomenal. He is someone I look up to, he works so hard and has the desire to get every last drop out of his game. I admire him for that. He's an inspiration to us all."

This time two years ago I sat in the McIlroy living-room chatting with parents and son after Rory had missed out on a Walker Cup spot. People were saying then he had accepted invitations to too many professional events and lost his focus. He has a different outlook on things.

"Not making the Walker Cup in 2005 was the best thing that ever happened. If I'd made that team I'd have rushed into things (turning pro) and would probably have made one of the biggest mistakes of my life.

"Instead I have waited for this moment at RCD and everything in the last couple of years has been gearing up to this. It gave me the chance to perform at the highest level in amateur golf, plus got me into the Open. Up to now all has gone according to plan."

McIlroy is different from other Irishmen who have gone into the paid ranks in recent years, for so high is his stock he carries a huge burden of immediate expectation.

It is sobering to recall Justin Rose's 21 successive missed cuts after his teenage masterclass as an amateur in the 1998 Open at Birkdale. For all we know McIlroy could hit the ground running, but if he doesn't he should be afforded time.

McIlroy won't turn pro immediately after the Walker Cup; instead he'll play the first stage of European Tour Qualifying School as an amateur, then somewhere in between that and one of the sponsors' invites he has lined up is when the announcement will be made.

"I won't announce straight after the Walker Cup. That ends on Sunday the ninth of September and stage one of Q-school starts on Tuesday the 11th, so I'll go straight from here (Newcastle) to London, play a practice round on the Monday, and hopefully make it through stage one by finishing in the top 30. Between that and one of the tour events I will turn pro," he confirms.

For some time now, the prodigy has been courted by the game's leading management companies, including such global players as IMG (International Management Group), ISM (International Sports Management) and Horizon. Lucrative sponsorship deals are sure to be just around the corner.

The identity of McIlroy's management company will come as no surprise when he turns pro: "Suffice to say that has all been sorted out, but nothing can be said right now for obvious reasons." To do so would breach the R&A amateur-status rule.

What is known is that Gordon Faulkner will caddy when the young man steps out with the "big boys" on tour.

"Gordon has worked with me all year," says the youngster. "He caddies at Queenwood Golf Club in Surrey, where Darren and Ernie (Els) are members. He often caddies for Darren when he's home and was recommended by him. We get on really well and he knows my game inside out."

Perhaps the man who knows McIlroy's swing best of all is a long-time family friend, Michael Bannon, the club professional at Bangor.

Bannon was the pro at Holywood when he first set eyes on young McIlroy, who would tag along when his dad played. Bannon says Rory has one of the most natural swings he has seen.

"Michael will continue to coach me for the foreseeable future," explains McIlroy. "He won't travel but when I'm home I'll go to him or he'll go to events in the UK and Ireland, just like he did at Carnoustie. If anyone knows my swing he does, and he knows how to fix it."

McIlroy also intends to buy himself an apartment to go along with the BMW One Series he drives. Whatever he buys will be in Belfast and therefore still close to family and friends.

"I'll be out of mum's and dad's way this year. I suppose it's just about becoming more independent and growing up. I couldn't imagine basing myself anywhere else - I'd rather be around family and friends when I'm not competing."

McIlroy knows life on tour will be different, that "mental toughness" is needed for four-round tournaments, but he has already sampled tour golf from playing in over a dozen events and has set his sights high.

"I see no reason why I can't do what Padraig or anyone like that has done. I played with Henrik Stenson at Carnoustie. He was a top-10 player in the world. He swings it no better than me. I've just got to prove myself and get the experience. I've always played better under pressure; I thrive off it, and when people watch me I want to perform, let them see what I can do, show off a bit.

"I can't wait to join the pro ranks and play my first tour event as a professional and get my first pay cheque," he says as if waiting for someone to unbolt the stable door.

"First though, the best way to sign off my amateur career would be to win the Walker Cup, especially here at County Down."

The likes of McIlroy don't come along often. Enjoy the privilege of witnessing his career unfold.

Strokes of genius: the curriculum vitae of a golfing prodigy

Name: Rory McIlroy

Born:May 4th, 1989

Age:18

Residence: Holywood, Co Down

Club:Holywood GC

Handicap:Plus six (+5.7 at time of going to print)

Amateur highlights 2007

Silver Medal winner British Open (Carnoustie)

European Amateur Team champions (Ireland)

Sherry Cup winner (individual), Ireland (team) second

Number one world amateur rankings (5/02/2007) u First European Tour cut made (Dubai Desert Classic)

2006

European Amateur champion

Irish Amateur Close champion

West of Ireland champion

Eisenhower Trophy 2005

Irish Amateur Close champion

West of Ireland champion

Course record 61 at North of Ireland (Royal Portrush)

2004

First European Tour event (British Masters)

Winning European Junior Ryder Cup team

Ulster Boys champion

2003

Ulster Boys champion

2002

Ulster Boys champion (under 15)

1998

World under-10 champion (Doral, Florida)