Golf News: Rory McIlroy will make his professional debut in the company of 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie at The Belfry tomorrow. The 18-year-old from Holywood formally announced yesterday that he is leaving the amateur ranks after a glittering career which makes him one of the great hopes of British golf.

As well as winning the Irish and European titles McIlroy starred in the British Open at Carnoustie in July, lying joint third after an opening 68, and only two weeks ago earned a Walker Cup cap.

"We have followed Rory's progress over the last five successful and eventful years and are proud to have the chance to look after one of the most exciting players to turn professional in the last decade," said the player's new manager, Andrew "Chubby" Chandler.

It comes as no surprise to find McIlroy joining a stable that includes his fellow Irishmen Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell as well as Ernie Els and David Howell.

"I have known Chubby for a long time and been a friend of Darren Clarke's for some years now, so there really was no decision to be made," stated McIlroy, who has already negotiated the first stage of the European Tour qualifying school.

Ten more rounds have still to be played if he is to earn his card for next season that way, but he can avoid the rest of the school if he earns around £150,000 through his invitations into not only the British Masters this week, but also the Dunhill Links Championship and possibly three more events after that.

That may be asking a lot remembering that nine years ago Justin Rose finished fourth in the British Open and then missed his first 21 halfway cuts as a professional. But McIlroy, with a string of sponsors behind him already, simply oozes confidence.

He prefers to recall the impact Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia had straightaway - both won within two months of turning pro - and commented yesterday after nine holes practising with Clarke: "I am not putting too much pressure on myself, but I would love to go out this week and play well.

"I think people have expectations of me and I have expectations of myself, so I hopefully I can play well and live up to the expectations. That's the way I'm looking at it.

"I'm hitting it well and I think this course suits me.

"It's nice to be mentioned in the same breath as Sergio and Tiger and if I can make a start like they did I will be very happy.

"I'm just going to try my hardest and hopefully the results will follow."

McIlroy's backers include a Dubai-based hotel and hospitality management company, investment and construction firms, the Lough Erne club in Fermanagh and golf company Titleist.

Scot Lloyd Saltman, McIlroy's Walker Cup team-mate, also plays his first European Tour event as a professional this week.