Rory McIloy is ready to put into practice what he’s learned from ‘the best’ as he sets about justifying his place in the world’s top ten.

McIlroy tees it up in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral today as world No.9, despite the 2009 Dubai Desert Classic being his only professional victory to date.

However, after a meeting with 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus at last week’s Honda Classic, the 20-year-old is ready to bide his time on the Blue Monster this week, where he will play the first two rounds with Phil Mickelson.

“It was an unbelievable experience [meeting Nicklaus],” said McIlroy.

“Jack’s been the best at winning and was probably the most clinical.

“It was great to sit down and talk with him and see his approach to winning, what went through his head whenever he was in contention and what things he might have done differently to other people.

“It was probably the best 90 minutes I’ve spent in a long time.

He said the best-ever tournament he played he didn’t win (The Open in 1977 when he lost the ‘Duel in Sun’ to Tom Watson) and there were other times where he didn’t play his best, but got the job done.

“One of the biggest things I took from it was patience.

“Just learn to wait and learn to bide your time and know that if you believe in yourself then it will happen for you.

“He had a lot more majors handed to him than he went out and won.”

McIlroy meanwhile, is relishing the prospect of teeing it up with Mickelson in Miami today.

“I really like the way he approaches the game. It’s probably quite similar to myself - quite aggressive and goes for shots that some people might not,” McIlroy added.

“I think it depends what type of mind you have.

“If you’ve got a more analytical sort of mind you’ll probably play a little more conservative.

“The guys who keep it simple are probably the guys that will hit driver more and try to make the more aggressive approach.”