Rory McIlroy believes a patient approach can make him the youngest winner of an Open championship in the modern era.

He may have only just turned 20, but the sensation from Northern Ireland is ready to tackle Turnberry with all the maturity of a seasoned campaigner.

Should he lift the Claret Jug on Sunday, he will be the youngest Open champion for more than a century, beating the mark set by a 22-year-old Seve Ballesteros at Royal Lytham in 1979 - though some way short of Tom Morris Junior, who won the first of his four Open titles aged just 17 in 1868.

But while McIlroy's talent is as natural as that of Ballesteros, he understands that imitating the Spaniard's flamboyance will do nothing for his chances over an Ailsa course where tight fairways and lush, thick rough will demand thought and accuracy off the tee.

McIlroy, who finished 20th on his debut in the Masters at Augusta National and 10th in the US Open, said: "I know I have the game to do well in major championships. As long as I stay patient and don't get ahead of myself then I know that my game can stand up to the hardest test in golf."

Seasoned from a young age in the vagaries of links golf, McIlroy went on: "I know I'm going to make bogeys and I'll make mistakes, just because the course set-up is so tough. But then again, I know that if I'm playing well enough I'll have a lot of chances for birdies as well.

"I keep reminding myself this is only my second Open. Hopefully, I'll play in 20 or 30 more of these, so there's no point in rushing. I think it's about achieving a balance by having the right expectations and then going out to try and fulfil them."

Such a reasoned approach is all the more remarkable when you consider that, from the age of two when he could drive a golf ball 40 yards, McIlroy's career has been a whirl of titles, achievements and rich rewards.

His CV includes topping the world amateur rankings, playing in the Walker Cup and for Europe's Junior Ryder Cup team, and winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur in the 2007 edition of the Open at Carnoustie, where he held third place with a 68 after the first round.

Having turned professional later that year, McIlroy became the youngest player to break into the world's top 50 and in February claimed his maiden European Tour title at the Dubai Desert Classic. Prize money and endorsement fees mean McIlroy is already a millionaire with a luxury house in his home town of Holywood, between Belfast and Bangor, and a Ferrari parked on the drive.

He even considered a daily commute to The Open, flying the short hop from the east coast of Northern Ireland to the west coast of Scotland by helicopter.

"Yes, I thought about it," McIlroy said. "But then I decided it would be better not having to worry about the weather, can I fly or can't I fly?"

Despite his riches, McIlroy remains a very grounded individual.

"I still like to go out with my friends," he said. "I don't mind going into Belfast or wherever. I do get recognised but it's something you just get used to. I certainly don't feel as if I'm any kind of superstar."

The superstar McIlroy aspires to emulate is Tiger Woods, favourite to win a fourth Open title. But while he admits to being in awe of the world No1, the new kid on the block insisted he is not intimidated by him.

McIlroy said: "I've enjoyed watching Tiger win his majors, but that's more inspirational for me rather than disheartening knowing that this guy is coming to win every major he plays."

Tiger won his first major, The Masters, at the age of 21. Maybe the time has come for Woods to start worrying about McIlroy, rather than the other way around.