McIlroy ahead of Tiger, says O'Meara

Published on Thursday 29 January 2009 22:15

TWO-time major winner Mark O'Meara believes Dubai Desert Classic first-round leader Rory McIlroy is ahead of where his close friend and world No 1 Tiger Woods was at the same age.

The 52-year-old American played with the talented Northern Irish teenager yesterday at Emirates Golf Club as the 19-year-old claimed the first round lead with an eight-under-par 64, albeit in admittedly favourable conditions.

The score also came a day after new Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie named him as a potential candidate for Celtic Manor next year.

McIlroy has yet to win a senior title after heartbreaking play-off defeats at the 2008 European Masters and 2009 Hong Kong Open, but after seeing the much hyped-up talents in person, O'Meara is certain that breakthrough will soon come and lead to even greater heights.

"Ball-striking wise at 19, he's probably better than what Tiger was at 19," he said. "His technique I think is better."

McIlroy played his first professional event as a 16-year-old in 2005, while Woods waited until he was 21 before leaving the amateur ranks. O'Meara added: "He's going to win quite a few tournaments, not only on the European Tour, but also in America too and there's no reason why he can't win a major championship. He's got it."

After play was delayed for more than two-and-a-half hours due to fog, and eventually suspended, McIlroy signed for nine birdies against just a solitary bogey having driven into a bush on the 13th. He ensured a one-shot lead over European No 1 Robert Karlsson, who carded a bogey-free 65, with a 15-foot birdie putt at the last after striking into the heart of the green.

Montgomerie was facing a battle to salvage a level-par round. The Scot was sitting on the one-over mark through 12 holes when darkness brought play to a halt and left 59 players needing to complete round one this morning. Three-over at the turn, Monty, who won the Desert Classic in 1996, eagled the tenth to pick up a couple of strokes.

Andrew Coltart, fresh from a seventh place finish in Qatar last weekend, was making good progress at two-under through ten, while Gary Orr and Paul Lawrie were on a similar tally coming on to the inward half.

Stephen Gallacher was level at the turn with Alastair Forsyth and Scott Drummond both one-over.

Marc Warren, the only Scot to complete his round, endured a torrid day with a nine-over 81 which included a ten on the 18th.