Chronicle of a major win announced. Credit: golffile.ieRory McIlroy was confident he was going to win a major from the moment he joined the European Tour.

He said as much to an autograph hunting fan during the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura in 2007, just a month after turning professional.

Holding out a book plastered with signatures, the fan said: “Rory, can you add your signature beside a couple of major winners because you might get there one day?”

Quick as a flash, McIlroy said: “What do you mean ‘might’!”