Rory McIlroy is 35th in the Ryder Cup standings

Rory McIlroy remains content with his progress even though he is only 116th in the European Order of Merit going into this week's Irish Open.

The 19-year-old is looking for his first top-10 finish of the season.

"I think my progress has been okay. It hasn't been anything too spectacular but you really don't know what to expect," said McIlroy.

"My expectation for this season is to try to finish in the top 60 of the Order of Merit."

The Irish boy wonder took the European Tour by storm when he turned professional late last year.

Third at St Andrews in only his second start and then fourth in Madrid a week later, McIlroy earned his tour card in record time, was talked of a Ryder Cup prospect for this season.

Seven months on, though, the 19-year-old is 116th in the order of merit and 35th in the Ryder Cup standings.

"I've tried to pace myself a bit this year and have my schedule so I was fresh coming into this stretch of events," stated McIlroy.

"It's just a learning process, getting used to travelling to the Far East.

"I've never been to a place as hot or sweaty as Malaysia before, so it's a whole new experience for me."

"The season is really only starting now with all of the big events coming up and hopefully I can challenge in a couple of them."

McIlroy says that a couple of missed cuts earlier this season were a "kick up the backside".

"I probably went too long without hitting balls or without practising."