Rory has all the answers

By Dave Tindall, St Andrews Last updated: 15th July 2010

Rory McIlroy's precocious talents were on full show on day one of the Open at St Andrews as he roared into a two-shot lead after a stunning nine-under 63.

And yet, despite matching the lowest score ever recorded in a major, I ended the day feeling just as impressed by McIlroy the person.

I have absolutely no doubt that the 21-year-old will be called into the press tent's interview room on each of the remaining three days this week (as a rule, only the leaders are requested). And I'll be quick to take my seat.

Why?

Quite simply he's good value. While many press conferences are mind-numbingly banal, McIlroy's are full of honesty and intelligence.

Today's was a perfect example as he demonstrated his sense of history, an ability to provide interesting and revealing answers and a hugely impressive memory that would make him a No.1 pick for a pub quiz team.

For starters, he knew fine well he just missed out on a record. "It sort of went through my mind that 62 would have been the lowest round in a major. That's probably why I missed the putt (on 17)."

Next he revealed just why he's capable of low scores - in short, the boy has no fear.

It's easy to get conservative and protect a round once birdies are in the bank. But Rory, as he proved when shooting a final round 62 to score a brilliant win at Quail Hollow in May, only sees the road ahead, not the chasers in his rear-view mirror

"I mean, all you're thinking is just trying to go 6-under, 7-under," he said. "You're just trying to go lower and lower, no sort of negative thoughts come into your head at all. That's the only way I can describe it, just trying to make birdies."

And then came the displays of memory.

Asked what the most enjoyable shot of his round was, he replied: "Probably the 6-iron to 17. I had a very similar shot in 2007, same club. Pin was sort of tucked more around the bunker, but I hit a 6-iron there to three feet and made that putt that day."

When asked when he first played St Andrews, Rory gave not just the year but the month - "June 2007".

He recalled the event, the venue (now that's definite bonus points) and the final hole lip out when Tiger Woods almost carded a 62 in the 2007 USPGA in Tulsa.

But best of all was his ability to reel off every round he'd ever played at the Old Course.

After a few seconds delay, he put his hands on the side of his face for added concentration and ticked them off - "69, 69, 67, 68, 67, 68, 65, 69, 63."

In fact, the question just asked him to name his previous eight rounds so it was amusing and insightful that Rory had already updated his own list by adding today's 63.

I guess that's why he's special though.

He's one step ahead.

Other players may have been told by mind coaches to concentrate on themselves and to fight their natural instinct to wonder what HE is doing.

But again, McIlroy says what he thinks. And he's not daft.

The final words of his press conference told you that. He knows fine well who is his biggest threat is.

"I knew if it stayed like that (no wind or rain), that the scoring was going to be good, and I'm sure a lot of the guys took advantage of that.

"There's a few 6-unders," pondered McIlroy, before concluding, "I'm not what Tiger has got to yet."

Five-under we now know. But you won't need to tell Rory that.

Dave Tindall, St Andrews