“I just want to keep improving and hopefully one day I will be able to compete with Tiger Woods.”

The words of brilliant young golfer Rory McIlroy after claiming his first pro tour title at the weekend.

Regular readers of this column will know that I have been a huge fan of McIlroy’s for some time now.

Indeed, I have tipped him to win a Major sooner rather than later, even suggesting that he could do it in 2009.

It’s a mammoth ask, but I really believe he is THAT good, even if he is only 19.

The boy is destined for greatness.

The Dubai Desert Classic is one of the biggest events on the European tour and for most of the tournament Holywood’s finest was way out in front of some of the best players in the world.

He literally blew his competitors away with scintillating stroke making and clinical putting.

Yes, nerves and a few mistakes on the back nine made it a tense finish, but I thought he showed real bottle on the final green with Justin Rose breathing down his neck.

I’ll bet many were thinking here we go again after Rory threw away a six shot lead to be going up the last just one ahead, before hitting his third at the par five into the bunker.

Remember the teenager was in a marvellous position to win the European Masters and Hong Kong Open, but lost both in play-offs.

I’m sure that was going through his mind as he approached the 18th green.

To his credit though he stepped up, produced a terrific shot out of the sand and then displayed tremendous character to hole a tricky putt for the victory.

Although always cheering on the local lads, my favourite golfer of all time is the legendary Seve Ballesteros, who also won his first tournament (Dutch Open 1976) as a 19- year-old.

I miss Seve on the golf course, but McIlroy, such an exciting player to watch, has the potential to fill that void.

Rory definitely has the X Factor. Just like Seve, when he comes on TV, you watch. Simple as that.

And in my book, he has what it takes to compete with Tiger Woods, which as he stated last Sunday is one of his main goals.

McIlroy is up to 14th in the world rankings now and will play in all four majors this year.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Rory and Tiger going head to head on the back nine in the last group at Augusta in the US Masters?

I wouldn’t put it past Northern Ireland’s teenage sporting sensation.

And it wouldn’t surprise me if Rory won that particular battle.

He really is something special.