Golf's golden generation: McIlroy and Ishikawa signal their intent

(CNN) -- Two of golf's brightest young stars gave notice of their designs on the very top with a pair of blistering victories over the weekend.

While 21-year-old Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland was shooting a 62 to record his first victory on the PGA Tour at the Quail Hollow Championship, 18-year-old sensation Ryo Ishikawa recorded a round of 58 to secure his seventh title in his native Japan.

McIlroy posted a stunning round of 10-under-par on the final day to become the youngest winner on the American tour since Tiger Woods in 1996. He narrowly made the halfway cut and started the day four off the lead but a string of birdies and eagles saw him storm to the title.

McIlroy, who underlined his reputation as one of the most exciting young players in world golf, had missed the cut in his last two events in America, including the Masters at Augusta.

"I suppose I just got in the zone," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "Ever since I was 10 or 11 I wanted to be a professional golfer and you know it's been a crazy ride to this point. I'm just delighted to get here and get my first win of the year and to do it on a golf course like this is an amazing feeling."

Meanwhile, Ishikawa was streaking to his seventh-career title at the Crowns tournament in Nagoya.

The teenager was six shots off the lead going into the final round but carded a 12-under round of 58 to win the tournament by five strokes.

"It's absolutely unbelievable," Ishikawa told reporters, according to Reuters.com. "I don't know where all those birdies came from. Looking at the scoreboard at the end and seeing my score improve by 12 strokes. It's like a dream."

When told of Ishikawa's final round heroics, McIlroy told the UK Press Association: "He [Ishikawa] goes and shoots 58 to win and I shoot 62. I'm just trying to keep up with him!"