The 18-year-old from the North could only manage a first-round 73 in blustery conditions at Club de Campo on the outskirts of Madrid yesterday, eight shots adrift of pacesetter Daniel Vancsik of Argentina.

But the former European amateur champion had not given up hope of forcing himself into contention if he could take advantage of more favourable conditions for the early starters.

"It was pretty tricky in the wind and the greens cut up a little bit as well. They will be a lot better on Friday morning, so if I can shoot something in the 60s I will be right there.

"I can't remember the last time I didn't make a birdie in a round but it has to be a long time ago. I had a lot of good chances and hit a lot of good putts that didn't drop but that's the way it goes sometimes.

"But I made 17 pars and only one bogey so I haven't played myself out of it."

Sunday's third place lifted McIlroy to 106th in the Order of Merit, making him all but certain to earn his full tour card for next season.

"It feels good, I don't have to worry about the qualifying school and it's another couple of weeks off over the winter!" added McIlroy, the leading amateur in the Open at Carnoustie in July.

"But you are still playing the same game, the ball doesn't know whether you've just won or missed the cut. I have to go out with the same mindset and try to shoot as low a score as possible every day."

Vancsik, who won the Madeira Island Open in March but missed the cut in 12 of the next 14 events, carded six birdies and an eagle to establish a course-record 65 and led by one shot from Portugal's Jose-Filipe Lima.

Scotland's Steven O'Hara, 120th on the Order of Merit with only the top 115 keeping their cards at the end of the Majorca Classic on October 28, was a shot further back in third alongside Germany's Martin Kaymer.