Great Expectations: Rory McIlroy

Nineteen-year-old Rory McIlroy had a decision to make. In the second round of the WGC-CA Championship at Doral's Blue Monster in Miami earlier this year, his drive at the par-5 8th left him 268 frightening yards over water and into a Wizard of Oz wind.

"I'm going for it," McIlroy told his caddie, J.P. Fitzgerald.

"No one's getting there today," Fitzgerald objected.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!The kid from Northern Ireland pulled his 3-wood.

"It's time for a Rory McIlroy special."

McIlroy unleashed a skyscraping shot -- complete with a cocksure club twirl -- that rolled to six feet. He made eagle and shot 66. "It was the best shot I've ever seen," said Fitzgerald, who has caddied for Ernie Els and Darren Clarke.

Says McIlroy, a bit sheepishly, "I guess I've never lacked self-belief."

One bright Belfast morning, Gerry McIlroy and his son Rory ran into their butcher, Mr. Nixon.

'Rory, how's your game?' Nixon asked.

'Mr. Nixon, I'm playing the best golf of my life.'