GOLF:Rory McIlroy's stock continues to rise with each passing week and immediately after securing his maiden European Tour win in Dubai the 19-year-old revealed he is line to play a practice round with none other than Tiger Woods when he tees it up at this year's US Masters at Augusta in April.

Before McIlroy managed to keep his nerve in the roller-coaster final round of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club, the teenage sensation played the first two rounds alongside Mark O'Meara, close friend to Woods.

The two-time major winner was so impressed with McIlroy's game – particularly the opening 64 – he suggested the Holywood golfer was better at 19 than Woods was at the same age.

The veteran American was also impressed with McIlroy's manner and how he articulates himself both on and off the course. To this end the 52-year-old suggested a practice round with Woods ahead of the first major of the year at Augusta, which McIlroy is obviously looking forward to.

"The Masters isn't too far away, it will be great to play in that and I've got a couple of nice practice rounds set up as well," said McIlroy after his Dubai win.

"I played with Mark (O'Meara) in Dubai and he said he's going to try and set up a practice game at Augusta with him and Tiger, presuming he's fit and ready to play."

"I'll probably play with another practice round with Ernie (Els) plus I'm going to get my dad to caddy for me in the par three tournament," added McIlroy, who shied away from the comparisons made between Woods and himself over the weekend.

"To put my name on the same trophy that Tiger has won is unbelievable for me. I always hoped that I'd come this far. I've put in a lot of hard work in and now it's starting to pay off.

"But just to be compared to Tiger is probably an unfair comment to make at this stage because he's done so much for the game. I'll never be able to do what Tiger has done for golf.

"If I could win half the tournaments he's won I'll have a very successful career," said the teenager, who has jumped up to 16th in the latest world rankings issued today.

He climbed 23 places though it had initially been thought he would move to 14th, but once the results from the Phoenix Open were factored in he climbed to 16th.

Kenny Perry's play-off victory over Charley Hoffman in Arizona takes him to ninth and drops Els to 13th, his lowest position since he won his first major title at the 1994 US Open.

McIlroy's win in Dubai showed he was born for the big stage, according to Europe's new Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

"We have a superstar here in the making," Montgomerie said. "Along with Alvaro Quiros and Martin Kaymer we have some fantastic talent coming through in Europe and Rory, right now, is at the head of that group."

McIlroy dominated a world-class field to lead from start to finish in Dubai. He was six strokes clear with six holes to play but then had to overcome a late attack of the jitters.

The teenager bogeyed the 15th, 16th and 17th to boost Justin Rose's title hopes but the former European number one had to settle for second place when McIlroy produced a nerveless up-and-down from a greenside bunker to finish one ahead on 19-under 269.

"To be almost 20-under at any time is good, especially on a course of this difficulty and magnitude," said eight-times European number one Montgomerie. "He is doing fantastically well at 19."

From the moment he recorded a 40-yard drive at the age of two, it was clear McIlroy would turn into a rare golfing gem.

A glittering amateur career made way for a spectacular start to his life as a professional and last year he became the youngest player to reach the top 50 in the world rankings.

McIlroy was still an amateur when he shot a three-under 68 in the 2007 British Open at Carnoustie, the only bogey-free round of the day.

McIlroy's will now turn attentions towards the States where he will compete in the Accenture World Matchplay at the end of this month.

"My next event is in the US in the Accenture World Matchplay, then I have the Honda Classic and the WGC - CA Championship at Doral. I've played a lot of junior golf over there but haven't been there in a while," added McIlroy, who won the Junior World Championship at Doral 10 years ago.

Latest leading world rankings:

1 Tiger Woods (USA) 10.46pts
2 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 7.96
3 Padraig Harrington(Irl) 6.56
4 Phil Mickelson (USA) 6.51
5 Vijay Singh (Fij) 6.40
6 Henrik Stenson (Swe) 5.25
7 Robert Karlsson (Swe) 5.11
8 Geoff Ogilvy (Aus) 5.09
9 Kenny Perry (USA) 4.81
10 Anthony Kim (USA) 4.70
11 Camilo Villegas (Col) 4.62
12 Lee Westwood (Eng) 4.44
13 Ernie Els (Rsa) 4.30
14 Jim Furyk (USA) 4.00
15 Justin Rose (Eng) 3.91
16 Rory McIlroy(NIrl)3.86
17 Adam Scott (Aus) 3.85
18 Steve Stricker (USA) 3.69
19 Stewart Cink (USA) 3.54
20 KJ Choi (Kor) 3.51

Selected Irish rankings:

35 Graeme McDowell
75 Darren Clarke
93 Gareth Maybin
120 Paul McGinley
137 Damien McGrane
187 Peter Lawrie