Golf-Wentworth wizard McIlroy shows all his tricks

By Tony Jimenez

VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 23 (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy displayed the outstanding skills that prompted Tiger Woods to tip him as a future world number one when he fired a best-of-the-week 65 in the PGA Championship third round.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland, attempting to become the youngest winner of the European Tour's flagship event, rattled up eight birdies to finish on nine-under 207 on Saturday.

"That was very close to my best," McIlroy told reporters at Wentworth. "I was fading it off tees, drawing it on tees, hitting all the shots.

"It was similar to the first round in Dubai. I just trusted it 100 percent today and when you do that, you usually play very well."

McIlroy has risen to 20th in the world rankings after a string of sparkling performances including victory at the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

Earlier this year the top-ranked Woods said the mop-haired youngster had "all the components to be the best in the world".

McIlroy, though, shows a level-headed approach that belies his years.

"It's still very early in my career and to achieve what I have has been very good," he said. "But I have worked hard for it."