Madrid Open: Teenage star Rory McIlroy is targeting his first European Tour victory in just his third event as a professional, in the Madrid Open which starts today.

Should he succeed, it could help the 18-year-old from Northern Ireland to become the youngest player ever to appear in the Ryder Cup.

McIlroy's third place in the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews on Sunday virtually guaranteed him a tour card for next year - and also lifted him to eighth in the Ryder Cup race.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was 19 years and eight months when he made his debut against the United States in Boston in 1999. But McIlroy, leading amateur at the British Open in July, would be four months younger if he is part of the team in Louisville next September.

"This is a big year for Ryder Cup points - and if I can get a few more good finishes then you never know. It would be a great achievement - but it's something I'm not trying to think about too much," said McIlroy.

"I'm just going to try to play steady golf and win every time I play. If I made the Ryder Cup it would be unbelievable. Playing the Walker Cup in 2007 and the Ryder Cup in 2008 would be funny. I don't think many people would have done that."

Winning €211,322 at the weekend sent McIlroy flying from 264th to 106th on the Order of Merit, with the leading 115 earning cards following the Majorca Classic on October 28th.

That should be enough to secure McIlroy's playing privileges for 2008 and allows the former European amateur champion to concentrate on setting his sights much higher.

"I think it's safe," he added. "But everything will take care of itself if I can make the cut this week and next week. I think if I can keep playing the way that I have been then there is no reason that I can't win a tournament. That's what I'm looking to do now. I have proved that I can play with the top players.

"I've only done it one week - but I feel like I can do it most weeks now if I just play steady and consistent golf, as I did last week in Scotland. Last week was a huge step for me and my career - and if I can play the way I have been, there is no reason why I can't go on and win one.

"There were people like Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els behind me at the end of last week, and that was a pretty nice feeling. It's all gone quite quickly for me and has been a bit of a whirlwind. But I'm just looking forward to the week ahead and hoping I can get a first win pretty quickly."

Many of Europe's top names are absent this week while Ian Poulter has not returned to defend his title.