( CNN ) -- Golf legend Gary Player has told CNN that 20-year-old Rory McIlroy `` has the world at his feet '' after the Northern Ireland ace claimed his seventh top-10 finish from eight stroke play events with a third-place finish in Abu Dhabi . `` I believe he is the best young player in the world today . Everything is just going right for him and if he works hard he has got the world at his feet , '' Player told CNN 's Living Golf in an exclusive sit-down interview with McIlroy . World number 11 McIlroy finished third at the U.S. PGA Championship in Augusta in 2009 but has only one career title to his name -- the Dubai Desert Classic -- despite a number of second-place finishes . McIlroy then raised eyebrows , after achieving his breakthrough win in the 2009 European Tour , by then committing to play on the rival U.S. Tour for 2010 . However , Player -- who was in Abu Dhabi to open a new course of his own design -- said McIlroy 's versatility would stand him in good stead for the future and ultimately lead to success in America . `` The good thing about Rory going to the United States is that he 's learnt his golf in Europe , in Ireland where the wind blows and you have to play in rain . A lot of young players have n't had that experience , '' he said . South African-born Player , 74 , started his stint in the U.S. in the late 1950 's competing for titles against the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer . Despite often receiving verbal and physical abuse as a reaction to South Africa 's apartheid policy , the one dubbed the `` Black Knight '' went on to complete a career grand slam by the age of 29 . McIlroy will also face challenges to win titles , but Player was confident that with the help of father -- figure and manager Chubby Chandler , McIlroy would also prove competitive . Despite the prospect of relocating McIlroy said he already feels at home on the other side of the Atlantic : `` I love it over in the States , it 's one of the main reasons I wanted to take my card up over there . I love the courses , I love the climate and the people ; I feel really comfortable over there . ''
Gary Player tells CNN that 20-year-old Rory McIlroy `` has the world at his feet '' and he is not going to let it go McIlroy said he already feels at home on the other side of the Atlantic .