The big buzz in Northern Ireland is on phenom Rory McIlroy

After four days in Northern Ireland, I can’t have a conversation without a mention of teen sensation Rory McIlroy from Holywood, N. Ireland.

Over in the States, we’re all Wie-wild and Fujikawa-fevered. But if you ask anyone around these parts, McIlroy is going to blow the lid off pro golf in a few years.

He set the course record up the road at Royal Portrush (61) at the age of 16 in 2005. He won the European Amateur Championship in Milan the following year and briefly held the number one amateur ranking. He made the cut at the Euro Tour’s Dubai Classic earlier this season. He’s set to lay a royal beat down on the U.S. squad at the 2007 Walker Cup, hosted this year in his homeland at Royal County Down.

Following the Walker Cup, he is reportedly planning on bypassing college golf in the States and will turn pro in time to compete in the European Tour’s Q-School. Members at every club I’ve been are beaming with pride for McIlroy. Those who have seen him play (many of them, by the way) say he has a complete game and a good head.

When we’re not stalking Wie’s every move, we should keep an eye out for this lad…

I played CastleRock in Northern Ireland this morning. It’s a more user-friendly links course about a half hour from Royal Portrush. It also has fantastic greens and an overachieving Wee course.