Rory McIlroy ready to lead by example at Ryder Cup
By Keith Jackson at Hazeltine
Last Updated: 28/09/16 8:44am
Rory McIlroy is relishing his role as a "team leader" as he takes responsibility for looking after Europe's six rookies at this week's Ryder Cup.
McIlroy has freely admitted he was overwhelmed by the occasion when he made his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010 but is now fully aware of the demands and pressure on the players as he prepares to make his fourth appearance.
The FedExCup champion took on a senior role in the team under Paul McGinley at Gleneagles two years ago and is ready to "lead by example" at Hazeltine National.
When asked about being a team leader for Europe, McIlroy said: "I've definitely become more comfortable in that role.
"In 2012, I came into the Ryder Cup as world No 1 and I had just won my second major championship. I won two of the four FedExCup events and I was playing really well, but I still didn't feel like it was my place to be a leader on the team.
"We had so many other players that had more experience in the Ryder Cup and were older than me, so I still didn't feel like I deserved that role in a way.
"But definitely at Gleneagles last time, I embraced that more and I took more responsibility on, and that was really to do with Paul McGinley. I was in constant contact with him and that's what he said he needed from me. I relished the opportunity to sort of rally our guys and be one of the leaders and speak up in the team room when I needed to.
"I understand it's a big responsibility, but I feel like I'm now ready to take that on my shoulders and hopefully lead by example."
McIlroy also highlighted the importance of making sure the team rookies know exactly what to expect during the week.
"I think I underestimated what it was going to be like on my debut," he said. "I made a couple of comments before the 2010 Ryder Cup that seem very stupid now. I had been to Ryder Cups before. I had played in the Junior Ryder Cup, I was at Oakland Hills in 2004 and at The K Club in '06.
"I was there and thought I knew what it was like, but there's nothing like walking onto that first tee for the first time and feeling that rush and just soaking in the atmosphere. So that's what I've tried to sort of reiterate to the rookies that are on our team.
"It's like, you think you know what it's like and you think you've played under pressure, but you haven't. You haven't played under what this is going to be like. It's just trying to make them ready for that and trying to make sure that they are comfortable with where they are.
"But once you get over that hurdle, that hump of the first tee and everything that goes on with that, you're just down to business and you're just trying to do what you do every day of your life, which is play good golf."
McIlroy revealed that the European squad have been highly motivated by various comments on the strength of the US team in the media, and he also made reference to Davis Love's assertion that he had "the greatest team maybe ever assembled".
"I don't think it's hard for us to find motivation," he added. "Anywhere you look, whether it be the sea of red you see on the golf course or the comments that are made in the media by the US team or by the captain, that gives us so much motivation already.
"Whenever we are going up against one of the greatest teams ever assembled, that's motivation enough. Just to say, 'how good a victory would this be if we go out and beat these guys on their home soil?'
"They are a very, very strong team but, at the same time, we have so many strong players. If you look at worldwide wins this year, Europe have 12; America have nine, so our team is good. Our team is more than ready to handle the occasion, to handle what we need to do.
"I think the big thing for us is we are playing away from home, and it's just a matter of battling that 13th man and trying to keep the crowd as quiet as we possibly can."
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