"Tigeresque" - McGinley hails McIlroy era

Rory McIlroy extended his lead as World No 1 to more than 4 points with his fifh win of the season in the DP World Tour Championship. Picture Stuart Adams www.golftourimages.comPaul McGinley claimed earlier in the week that Rory McIlroy was playing with his C game at times.

But after watching the 23-year old phenomenon birdie the last five holes to card a 66 and go from one behind Justin Rose to win the DP World Tour Championship by two, the 2014 Ryder Cup captaincy candidate hailed it as a Tiger-esque performance from the world No 1.

Speaking on Sky Sports, where he was a guest commentator this week, McGinley beleives we are witnessing the arrival of the new Tiger.

He said: “Not only has he moved into a fifth gear on the last five holes - a gear we always knew he had this week and he proved it when he really needed it - but his career has moved into a fifth gear in the second half of this year.

“Since he won the USPGA his career has gone to a different level as a player.

“All week it felt like he was playing in fourth gear and sometimes even third gear and remained in contention and remained leading the tournament.

“It was Tiger-esque. Tiger has laid down the platform over the last decade as to how to go into overdrive in a tournament. We thought we’d never see it again, but we’re seeing it straight afterwards with Rory.

“It’s one of the most impressive wins I’ve ever seen from Rory.

“Having watched all the golf this week I really felt he was in third or fourth gear and felt there was another gear that was not quite there until he really needed to.

“That was a trait of Tiger in his peak and we always said we’d never see that again in our lifetime - and here we are seeing it in the very next player.

“It’s something that very few people have ever had in the history of the game and we’re seeing it one player after another in Tiger and Rory. It’s incredible to watch.

“He made five birdies when he needed to - he was losing momentum and things weren’t going well and we thought things were starting to unravel for him.

“Just when he really needed it he was able to step up.

“He’s a young kid full of energy and he’s really enjoying his life.

“As I said earlier, he’s got lots of really good friends. He seems to be very happy in his new management group and is obviously very happy with his girlfriend.

“His golf is going from strength to strength, he’s just signed a big sponsorship deal and life doesn’t get much better than what Rory’s enjoying at the moment.

“There’s a lot of stresses with being Rory McIlroy. I saw it first hand at the Ryder Cup; it was Beatles-like over there. I’ve never seen anything like it, except for Tiger, in my career. The pop star status he has is draining.

“He’s played unbelievable golf around the world, so of course his battery is going to be low.”