ROOKIE RORY POCKETS £187,000 IN
UNDER A MONTH AS A TOUR PRO

FROM THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH
By David Gordon
Ulster golf sensation Rory McIlroy has putted his way to a cool £187,000 in less than a month as a professional.
The 18-year-old Holywood lad finished in joint fourth position at the Madrid Open yesterday, continuing the form that has made him the talk of the golfing world.
His excellent showing in Spain came just a week after he had finished third in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews.
The £187,000 in prize money has been amassed from just three events, since he turned professional on September 18. While his mentor Darren Clarke has won £119,851 from his last 19 tournaments.
Rory fought into contention in Madrid, with a third round of 66 raising hopes of him becoming the youngest winner in European Tour history.
He carded a final round 70 yesterday, in a roller-coaster display that included five birdies, one eagle and five bogeys, leaving him five shots behind winner Mads Vibe-Hastrup from Denmark.
"I would have taken (fourth) when I came here," Rory admitted. " I think I have done well after all that has gone over the last few weeks.
"There was a lot to contend with so coming here and finishing in the top five is pretty good. That's two good weeks in a row.
"I am playing very well at the moment. I am hitting it really well."
Rory has now climbed from nowhere to 95th in the European Tour Order of Merit and is assured of playing on next year's European Tour.