Rory was always different class

Jun 21 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

GAVIN Dear watched a teenage Rory McIlroy in action at UK amateur events and knew he was destined for the Majors.

The local Challenge Tour pro rushed back from a practice round at Aviemore to savour the 22-year-old Northern Ireland star’s record-shredding triumph in the US Open, just weeks after a traumatic collapse in the US Masters.

Dear (27) said: “It was some way to win his first Major wasn’t it? It was a procession and he made it that way.

“But Rory was awesome, even at 17. We played at some of the same tournaments, like the British Amateur, the St Andrews Links and the Lytham Trophy.

“It was pretty obvious to everyone where he was heading.

“Now Rory has four practice greens at his house, all with different grasses. He is making the most of an incredible talent.”

But Dear believes it’s too early to write-off Tiger Woods as a clutch of Europeans joust for the Majors and world number one status.

“Rory’s performance at Congressional was incredible but I still think it might be shaded by Tiger’s win at Pebble Beach.

“I’m sure Tiger will get himself healthy and come back fighting. He is probably pleased to see a guy like Rory stepping-up.

“It will be a battle worth watching, I’m sure.”

Gavin, whose own sights are set on making the European Tour, admits McIlroy inhabits a different world from Challenge Tour hopefuls but he stressed: “That is what we are all striving for.

“On the Challenge Tour there are 12-15 guys who have won on the European Tour battling away with the rest of us.

“But you can’t start looking around and worrying about other people. You have to remain focused on your own progress.”