Rory McIlroy has been a key player in the Ryder Cup for 14 years. Now, he’s aiming to make history as the European team faces off against the USA
Rory McIlroy has made his mark on Ryder Cup history, undeterred by the relentless rain in Wales.
The ball took a right turn. There have been moments of triumph, but also times of defeat.
Now, after an eventful journey through the Ryder Cup that has seen police escorts, car park confrontations, tears and jubilations, McIlroy is setting his sights on making eight great.
It all began 15 years ago in Gwent, with this reporter taking shelter from the rain alongside him on that precarious first morning at Celtic Manor. Partnered with Graeme McDowell, he squared off against Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink.
Just days earlier, his team-mates had sported curly wigs on the same tee, poking fun at his youthful hair and helping him feel comfortable as he acclimatised to the backdrop of comments about the competition being merely an exhibition, according to the Daily Record.
In the seven subsequent clashes filled with chaos, drama and thrill, McIlroy has realised that this is most certainly not the case.
It’s been an extraordinary journey. There have been magical moments, and some painful ones.
The first taste was majestic as McDowell, who would become his partner for the first six foursomes and fourball matches of his career, clinched the winning moment to secure the trophy.
McIlroy’s first morning that wet Friday in Wales ended up in the rough, but by Monday morning, following a late finish, Colin Montgomerie’s men emerged victorious.
From that point on, it’s been a series of remarkable events, none more so than the second outing: The Miracle at Medinah.
Despite being hailed as the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history, it might surprise many to learn that Europe actually clinched the first game, thanks to a standout performance from McIlroy and McDowell.
However, the real drama unfolded on the Saturday afternoon when Ian Poulter, partnering with McIlroy, birdied the last five holes against Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner in the afternoon fourballs, securing a crucial point that sparked the comeback.
The excitement wasn’t confined to the course on Sunday. The infamous oversleeping incident, the last-minute dash to the first tee following a police escort arranged by his now-wife Erica, the 3and2 defeat of Keegan Bradley, and the humorous presentation of a clock from captain Jose-Maria Olazabal during the post-match celebrations all contributed to the spectacle.
His timekeeping improved at Gleneagles in 2014, but he saved his best for the end. A single win in four sessions for captain Paul McGinley leading into the singles was not what many had expected.
However, come Sunday, he was a transformed man. Just as it had been four years earlier, it was a joy to follow his opening nine holes against Rickie Fowler in Perthshire on that chilly Sunday, as it was nothing short of a golf masterclass.
He overpowered the American, whom he had also bested on the final day at The Open at Hoylake just a few months earlier, with a blend of strong tee-to-green play and accurate putting. The 5and4 scoreline was flattering for Fowler.
Despite forming a formidable partnership with Belgian newcomer Thomas Pieters at Hazeltine in 2016, their three-point rampage over the first two days wasn’t sufficient. The singles match against Patrick Reed was an exciting back-and-forth, but ultimately, the American and his team prevailed, sinking Darren Clarke’s side.
However, as previously mentioned, it’s been a tumultuous journey, with Paris being a prime example of a role reversal.
Even though he only scored two points from his five matches this time, he still got to savour victory. Players like Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari stepped up to inflict the most damage for Thomas Bjorn’s team.
Whistling Straits could arguably be seen as the lowest point so far for the career Grand Slam superstar.
McIlroy was expected to be Padraig Harrington’s main man. He shouldered the burden, and it proved just a bit too heavy.
He was trounced in the first three team sessions as the hosts ran riot, and for the first time since his debut in Wales, he was benched for a session on Saturday afternoon.
McIlroy managed to bounce back, defeating Xander Schauffele in his singles match, but it was a case of too little, too late, and it didn’t alleviate the hurt. As his team slid towards a crushing defeat, he was tearful during a greenside interview, expressing how he felt he had let the team down over the first two days.
The disappointment was palpable. It served as a motivating force in Rome.
Ironically, heading into Italy, he had lost as many matches as he had won in his six appearances.
However, McIlroy silenced the critics in style, enjoying the best Ryder Cup of his career. He won four out of his five matches, with his only defeat coming against Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark in the notorious hat-waving incident on the final green on Saturday, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.
Four points secured. The trophy clinched.
And the bold proclamation in the post-match press conference that his team were set to conquer one of golf’s toughest challenges by winning away from home at Bethpage.
Now, the opportunity presents itself on Long Island for him to replicate his triumph in Chicago 13 years ago. With Luke Donald’s meticulous organisation, the clock will always be accurate.
McIlroy’s extraordinary Ryder Cup journey began on a dark and dreary morning in Wales.
The next chapter could unfold under the bright lights and sunshine of New York.
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