WHEN ANDREW “Chubby” Chandler signed Rory McIlroy 18 months ago, he asked Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson for some tips on how to handle a teenage superstar.

“Try to keep them away from the press as much as possible and make sure they haven’t got any hangers-on,” said Ferguson, who has had to deal with the hysteria surrounding players like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

McIlroy has no hangers-on but any hopes Chandler had of keeping the press at bay went up in smoke at Doral on Saturday evening when Tiger Woods showered the 19-year-old with compliments and tipped him to become the world’s best player – hopefully after he has retired.

Asked if he could see the world number one spot in McIlroy’s future, Woods said: “There’s no doubt. There’s no doubt. The guys a talent. Hopefully while I’m not around, or while I’m around.

“Certainly he has the talent. We can all see it: the way he hits the golf ball, the way he putts, the way he can chip, get up and down.

“He has the composure. He has all of the components to be the best player in the world, there’s no doubt. It’s just a matter of time and experience, and then basically gaining that experience in big events, that takes time, and I mean, jeez, he’s only 19. Just give him some time, and I’m sure he’ll be there.”

After receiving plaudits from Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy and Jim Furyk in recent days, McIlroy said that Woods’ comments took some of the pain out of not doing better at Doral.

The media feeding frenzy surrounding McIlroy has one upside for Chandler, who believes his diamond in the rough will be better prepared now for the hype and excitement of the Masters.

“The upside is that he will go to the Masters much better prepared than he would have been,” Chandler said.

“He will be ready for the hype of the Masters and the challenge of it now.”