A golfer who has received glowing praise from Rory McIlroy has taken up a very different career path after stepping away from the PGA Tour. Philip Francis was touted as the next big thing in golf after matching an impressive junior record set by Tiger Woods.

After consistently losing to one American prodigy during his teenage years, superstar Rory McIlroy expected his contemporary to challenge for majors after turning professional

“Tiger Woods is the reason my 11-year-old self got into golf in the first place back in 1997, coincidentally when Tiger won the Masters ,” Sheils previously told Metro. “He is the reason why I’m doing golf, he is the reason why I’m doing YouTube, he is the reason why golf is in the place that’s in now.

Tiger Woods is building a second golf course for the growing Bluejack portfolio in Texas, as the hub of a new luxury residential community outside Fort Worth.

Kyle Porter was seen as the next big thing in golf and he even matched a record set by Tiger Woods - but the American gave up the sport at the age of 27.

Rory McIlroy is one of the most successful golfers of his generation, having won four major championships before turning 25 - though his teenage rival Kyle Porter didn't reach such heights