Young guns fired up

It was quite a weekend in the world of golf; a weekend when three of the brightest and exciting young talents in the game showed us what they're made of.

In Europe, Alvaro Quiros, the big-hitting world number 35, joined Seve Ballesteros and Sergio Garcia as the only home winners of the Spanish Open since 1972.

He was the highest-ranked player in the field and justified his billing as favourite with a victory at the first extra hole over rookie James Morrison.

The Englishman was playing in his first event since his inaugural victory in Madeira three weeks ago. The former youth cricketer carded a five under round of 67 to give himself a good chance of back-to-back wins in only the sixth and seventh Tour events of his career. But, when the pair re-played the 432-yard 18th at the start of the play-off, his form deserted him and his double-bogey handed victory to the home player, a win that puts Quiros seventh in the Ryder Cup points standings.

Rory McIlroy claimed his maiden PGA Tour title in stunning fashion, firing a course record 62 to win the Quail Hollow Championship. The Northern Irishman's stunning final round meant he ended up four shots clear of his nearest rival, American Phil Mickelson. He had begun the day four shots behind overnight leader Billy Mayfair but moved himself towards the summit with four birdies on the front nine.

McIlroy - who turns 21 today - was even more impressive after reaching the turn, coming home in just 30 shots. He had six successive threes to finish, including a stunning 43-foot birdie putt at the last.

Having only just made the cut after going 72-73 for the first two rounds, over the weekend the former Walker Cup player made 17 birdies and an eagle to become the youngest winner on the Tour since Tiger Woods in 1996. What made his efforts even more impressive is that he had struggled in his last two events on American soil, including rounds of 74 and 77 at the Masters.

Another teenage sensation, Ryo Ishikawa from Japan recorded the first-ever round of 58 on a major tour to win The Crowns tournament in Nagoya.

The 18-year-old began the final round six shots off the lead but ended up winning by five to record a seventh Japan Tour success. After opening with scores of 68, 70 and 71, Ishikawa - who missed the cut at last month's Masters by one shot - birdied five of the first six holes before reaching the turn in 28 at the par-70 venue. He began the back nine in similar vein and another hat-trick of birdies from the 14th meant he could afford a par, bogey finish to break 60, but two pars saw him record the first 58.

David Duval was the last player to break 60 on the PGA Tour in 1999, one of three to do so in America, while 60 remains the lowest score on the European circuit and has been achieved 14 times. Ironically, overnight leader Shigeki Maruyama has also recorded a round of 58 in a US Open qualifying event.

This week the Tour moves to Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida for the unofficial fifth Major, The Players Championship, at the spectacular TPC at Sawgrass. This tournament is held in huge esteem by the members of the Tour and with many subplots taking place it is sure to be a great week.

Can Tiger bounce back from his worst-ever score as a pro last week at Quail Hollow where he missed the cut on 9 over par? Will Rory keep the momentum going from his first PGA Tour win?

Will the Europeans continue to dominate following Sergio's win two years ago being followed by Henrik Stensons' success last year?

One thing is for sure, with a purse of nearly $10 million on offer and one of the most intimidating closing stretches in golf, including the infamous Island Hole at 17, it will be well worth watching.