Less than two years after turning professional, teenage golfer Rory McIlroy was today set to be confirmed a sensational 14th in the world rankings following his maiden tour victory in the Dubai Desert Classic.

McIlroy, who only last month was signposted by Standard Sport as one to watch in 2009, finished one stroke ahead of Justin Rose on 19 under par and then warned his rivals that his best was yet to come.

The 19-year-old from Northern Ireland said: "I just want to keep improving and hopefully one day I will be able to compete with Tiger Woods."

McIlroy revealed how he hopes to get the chance to test himself against Woods when he makes his Masters debut in April.

He played alongside Woods's close friend Mark O'Meara in Dubai, and the former Open and Masters champion has promised to arrange a practice round with the world number one at Augusta National, always assuming he has recovered from major knee surgery.