DAVID Howell has tipped golf’s rising star Rory McIlroy for the top - and insisted his own progress remains on track despite missing his second cut in three events at the weekend.

While Howell bowed out in disappointing fashion at the halfway stage of the Dubai Desert Classic, McIlroy was joining him as a winner of the prestigious Middle East event to record his maiden European Tour success.

The one-shot triumph continued the Northern Ireland youngster’s meteoric rise up golf’s rankings, the 19-year-old jumping to 16th, and Howell believes the only way is up for his fellow former Walker Cup star and Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, the winner of the Qatar Masters the previous week.

“(McIlroy) is already a star in many ways and has the world at his feet,’’ Howell told his website, www.davidhowellgolf.com.

“Not many people have the natural ability to be one of the best players in the world but Rory is one of them.

“Nineteen years old and already having a ton of experience in his short career, his next step was to get across the winning line.

“When he was five in front with five to play it looked like it might just be an exhibition but once again golf proved just how hard it is finish off a tournament and Rory had to hole a four-foot putt to win.

“He did it and when he looks back at his career I am sure he will realise just how important it was. Winning by one is the hardest thing to do and I am sure their will be no looking back for him now.’’ Of greater concern to Swindon man Howell however is his own form, which has failed to hit the heights so far in three European Tour outings so far in 2009.

Missed cuts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai book-ended a decent top 40 finish in a high-quality Qatar field, the Broome Manor man now taking a week off before flying east for engagements in Malaysia and Australia later this month.

He added: “Deep down, I think I am on the right track with things which is the most important thing and you know sometimes you just have to put things down to a bad week.’’ Meanwhile, Colin Montgomeri’s selection as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain for the contest against the United States at Celtic Manor in Wales next year has received a resounding thumbs-up from the 33-year-old, who is determined to play his way to a third Cup appearance.

Howell, who played in winning 2004 and 2006 teams with the Scot, said: “Wales is a long way off still, and the points race is yet to start of course but Colin will be thinking about the Ryder Cup until the day it is finished, hopefully with his hands on the trophy.

“Having seen Monty in two team rooms it is obvious that he will make a great captain. Hopefully my captain.’’