As World No. 1 Rory McIlroy stood atop of Hong Kong’s smog shrouded highest peak former European and PGA No.1s Padraig Harrington and Matt Kuchar looked on in awe.

McIlroy, as UBS Hong Kong Open defending champion, was joined by 2006 European No. 1 Harrington and 2010 PGA Tour No.1 Kuchar along with Scotland’s Paul Lawrie and Y. E. Yang in a promo for the event at the Pearl of the Peak restaurant at Victoria Peak.

Organisers of this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open had set-up an artificial tee and with McIlroy and his colleagues posing for shots before hitting plastic coloured golf balls out in the direction of Hong Kong Harbour over 550 metres below.

Harrington continues to unshaven ahead of the event he captured in 2004 but then there was no disguising his continuing delight for McIlr

“It was great for Rory to achieve the goal at such a young age because you can only believe he is only going to go and do it again and again,” said Harrington.

While Padraig Harrington says he’s in awe of Rory McIlroy, McIlroy’s probably admiring Harrington’s whiskers at this pre-UBS Hong Kong Open press conference. (Photo – Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)

“Rory is performing and continuing to deliver, and winning two Majors and now the Order of Merit in both the States and Europe shows that.

“He used to surprise us when he first turned pro but I don’t think anything Rory does surprise us anymore.

“And the great thing about Rory is that with this latest achievement in winning the Race to Dubai his young feet are still planted firmly on the ground.

“He really is a very level-headed, nice, and I won’t say kid, but a great young man.    He’s done a really good job and he’s to be congratulated in the manner he continues to conduct himself.”

And while Harrington can see McIlroy particularly leading the PGA Tour into a new era post Tiger Woods, he sees McIlory becoming a new motivation for all those behind him on the Rankings.

“There is no doubt Rory is going to lift the standard of golf around the globe,” said Harrington.

“You have got to have someone to fire at if you are going to improve and Rory’s there, and he’s going to be an even bigger role model for younger players .

“There is going to be these 12, 13 and 14 year olds playing golf who are going to be inspired by what Rory is achieving.”

Kuchar captured the PGA Tour money list in 2010 and while the 34-year old is no stranger to competing around the globe, this week is his first visit to Hong Kong.

And the Florida golfer, who also once teed up in the 2000 Irish Open at Ballybunion, is just as in awe of McIlroy.

“It’s just amazing what Rory has achieved,” said Kuchar.

“I’ve never tried to play both Tours so what Luke (Donald) managed last year and now Rory to follow just a year later seems really difficult.

“All I can gauge is that you must limit yourself trying to play both tours and that you are kind of at a disadvantage by sheer numbers, so to win both money list tour’s is an amazing feat.”

McIlroy will play the opening two rounds of this week’s $2m UBS Hong Kong Open alongside teen sensation Matteo Manassero, and winner os last week’s Barclays Singapore Open, along with China’s Wenchong Liang.