Masters Leaderboard 2012: Rory McIlroy Surge Shows Why He Is Best in the World

Rory McIlroy might only be 22 years old, but he is currently the best golfer in the world.

Although the Northern Ireland native is behind Luke Donald in the world rankings, the young man has the ability to be on top of the sport for a long time.

Despite the temperature at Augusta dropping about 25 degrees from yesterday with increased winds, McIlroy has had a great opening to the second day of the Masters.

After a pedestrian 71 on Thursday in which he double-bogeyed the first hole, McIlroy already has three birdies to put him three under on the front nine.

His consistency will never allow you to rule him out of a tournament.

Obviously, no championship is ever won on the first day, but it certainly can be lost.

Probably the most impressive accomplishment by Tiger Woods during his peak was not his number of wins, but that he did not miss a cut in 142 tournaments. That streak lasted seven years.

McIlroy has shown that he can succeed every time, regardless of the competition, the increased attention or even the weather.

More importantly, he can charge up the leaderboard with birdies while others are simply trying to maintain pars.

A year ago at this very tournament, Rory blew an enormous lead on the final day in one of the biggest meltdowns in Masters history.

Fortunately, he grew from that experience and followed it up with one of the best U.S. Open performances of all time as he captured his first major.

With his skill and mental strength, the rest of the golf world better look out.