Rory McIlroy is already high among the Ryder Cup rankings

McIlroy became the youngest player to secure his European Tour card at the weekend and is now eighth in the Ryder Cup rankings.

"I knew he was good, but I had no idea he was that good.

"I've told Rory that he has just rewritten what was being mapped out for him."

Sergio Garcia was 19 years and eight months when he made his debut against the Americans in Boston in 1999.

McIlroy, leading amateur at The Open in July, would be four months younger if he is part of the team in Louisville next September.

McIlroy's cheque for �147,373 at last weekend's Alfred Dunhill Links Championship sent him flying from 264th to 106th on the Order of Merit.

The leading 115 earning cards following the Majorca Classic on 28 October.

"I can't see him playing in anything that does not carry cup points," said Chandler of McIlroy ."

"I knew at the start of the week I needed to do something pretty special to get my Tour card and I am absolutely ecstatic," said 18-year-old from Holywood in County Down.

"There have been a lot of great players come into the game pretty young, obviously Tiger (Woods) and Sergio (Garcia) and I'm trying to take it all in my stride.

"When I talked about my chances of making the card this week to Lee Westwood he told me I could win the tournament.

"When someone like Lee tells you that it gives you a lot of confidence. Hopefully this is a huge step for bigger and better things."