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MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Rory McIlroy is fast proving he's no regular rookie.

The Northern Ireland teenager, playing only his sixth professional tournament, was among the Australian Masters leaders after another strong round Thursday.

McIlroy, who had an impressive opening round at this year's British Open and finished as low amateur, shot a 2-under 70 on the Huntingdale course.

He made birdies on Nos. 5, 6 and 7 before dropping a shot on the par-4 ninth. The wind intensified as the afternoon wore on and McIlroy was content to shoot a blemish-free back nine to stay in contention, three strokes behind leader Robert Allenby.

"It got really windy at the end and was pretty hard to control your ball flight," McIlroy said. "I made good up-and-downs to stay in there. I'm still in the top 15 so I'm pretty happy with how the day went."

McIlroy first gained international attention as an amateur in July in the British Open when he shot an opening 3-under 68 to share third place. He was the only player not to make bogey in the first round and went on to tie for 42nd at 5 over.

McIlroy turned professional in September on the eve of the British Masters, and finishing third at the Dunhill Links in October. He earned enough money to secure his tour card for 2008 when he tied for fourth in the Madrid.

McIlroy looked at ease Thursday, and displayed that composure at the par-3 12th when he blasted out from a deep bunker on the right of the green to within a foot of the pin, tapping in for par.

Playing in the same group as Australia's Aaron Baddeley, McIlroy found plenty to talk about with the PGA TOUR regular.

Baddeley hit the professional ranks with similar expectations as McIlroy after winning the Australian Open as an 18-year-old amateur in 1999 and successfully defending his title as a pro in 2000.

"He can relate to where I am at at the minute," McIlroy said. "He's doing well, he's in the top 20 in the world, he's a great player and contended in majors, he's a great guy and it's nice to ask him a few questions."

"I'd love get a win under my belt fairly soon, just to get that monkey off my back, and then kick on from there.

"I'm setting myself pretty high goals by trying to win a couple of times this year on tour, being my first year."

McIlroy may be able to play himself into the next European Ryder Cup team.

"If it happens it happens. If it doesn't I've got plenty more years to play Ryder Cup," McIlroy said. "But I've started the Ryder Cup points race really well and if I can end this year well ... you never know what can happen."

McIlroy's focus on the European tour saw him turn down an invitation from Tiger Woods to play in next month's Target World Challenge.

"I'm bitterly disappointed I didn't get to play, but saying that I've got a lot of years ahead of me so I'll hopefully get back to it another time," he said.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.