At the age of 73 Gary Player has finally conceded defeat. The South African is almost certainly the fittest 70-something in sport, but Augusta National has simply grown too long for his game and so on Thursday he will start his 52nd, and last, Masters.

While the winner of three Green Jackets prepares for his swansong he admits that he is excited by the prospect of Northern Ireland teenager Rory McIlroy beginning his own Masters adventure.

Explaining his decision to retire from major golf, Player today joked: "I'm hitting the ball so short now that I can hear it land."

McIlroy, by contrast, possesses the ability to crash the ball seemingly miles down Augusta's immaculate fairways.

"It's remarkable, what a beautiful swing," said Player. "Rory has the world at his feet. He must use Tiger Woods as a role model and raise the bar."

Woods was 21 when, in 1997, he became the youngest Masters champion by shooting a record low 270 for a best ever winning margin of 12 shots.

McIlroy is only 19 so a landmark victory on Sunday would see him beat Woods's mark and become the first player to win on his Augusta debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

Padraig Harrington, the Dubliner going for the 'Paddy Slam' of successive victories in the Open, the US PGA Championship and the Masters, believes the game's new sensation can create history this week.

Harrington said: "Yes, I actually believe it is possible for Rory to do it. He has a good caddie on the bag in JP Fitzgerald who has been here numerous times. There won't be a pin position or a shot JP doesn't know about."

McIlroy comes to the opening major of the season ranked 17th in the world and already winner of the prestigious Dubai Desert Classic.

And it is typical of the lad that he is not daunted by the tough test Augusta offers nor by the prospect of going up against tournament favourite Woods in a final round shoot-out.

He said: "You know what, it would be an occasion that you would relish. That's what you've practised so hard for, to be able to play in the final group of a major with the best player in the world. So it would be a great experience.

"Tiger makes players do things they probably wouldn't do. But you've got to go out and play golf and you've got to think if you shoot something in the mid to high 60s, you're going to have a chance. All you can control is your golf ball, and if you can control that well enough, everything else will take care of itself."

McIlroy's rocket-ride to fame means autograph hunters have been closing in on him this week with the same intent they usually reserve for Woods.

But he is not daunted by the attention and Augusta certainly holds no fears for him. Asked if he felt a sense of awe when he hit his first shot at this cathedral to golf in a practice round on Sunday, McIlroy replied matter-of-factly: "I didn't. I really didn't.

"Having been on Tour now for a year and a half, you try and just treat it as if it was another golf tournament. I'm not really one to get overwhelmed by much these days.

"Obviously I'm really excited to be here, don't get me wrong. But I want to try and get the most out of this week as possible. So you can't really be in awe of anything."

McIlroy revealed he can recall nearly every shot Woods made at Augusta during that famous weekend in 1997.

Laying down a marker for the rounds ahead, he said: "It was definitely inspirational to see someone come out and make such a great start to their professional career. You know, if I can play well enough this week, I might be able to emulate it."