Rory McIlroy says Team Europe are 'more experienced and flexible' than in 2023 as they look to win the Ryder Cup in the US this month; world No 2 insists getting his game right is more important than winning ahead of Bethpage ; watch the Amgen Irish Open live on Sky Sports from 8am on Thursday
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Rory McIlroy “loves” Luke Donald's Ryder Cup team and believes Team Europe “have a fantastic opportunity” at Bethpage Black.
Rory McIlroy believes Team Europe have achieved more than they did when they won the Ryder Cup in 2023 and are ready to achieve something “very special” when they take on Team USA at Bethpage Black Stadium this month.
Eleven of the 12 golfers who were part of the triumph in Italy two years ago will take part in New York, the only change being Rasmus Hojgaard replacing his twin brother Nikolai.
No away team has won the Ryder Cup since Europe's 'Miracle at Medinah' in 2012 under Jose Maria Olazábal, but McIlroy claims Luke Donald's group can reverse that trend between September 26 and 28, live on Sky Sports.
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Luke Donald has named his six Ryder Cup candidates: Shane Lowry, Jon Rahm, Sepp Straka, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Oberg and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The world number two, who is in action at the Amgen Irish Open at the K Club this week where she will play the first round at 8am on Thursday live on Sky Sports, said: “I've said this many times but I think winning the Ryder Cup away is one of the greatest achievements in the game, especially in this day and age.”
“It’s no wonder that every Ryder Cup over the past 10 years has gone to a home team.
“They have a big advantage: from the organization of the track to the degree of bias of the fans.
How Djokovic's Mindset Can Help Europe at the Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy says:
“I watched Novak Djokovic a little bit [at the US Open on Tuesday], his match against Taylor Fritz.
“There was a very pro-American crowd there, and he dealt with it better than anyone.
“He’s had to deal with this his whole life, whether it’s playing against an American in New York or playing against Roger [Federer] or Rafa [Nadal].
“Last time in Rome he came and talked to us a little bit about this, so maybe it’s worth borrowing his experience and channeling this energy in the right direction.”
Team Europe has achieved more success than in 2023
But I think this year, Europeans have a great opportunity to do something very, very special, but it will be very difficult. Make no mistake, we know we can do it. We know we have a tough job ahead of us.
They have a very strong team. They will have a pretty noisy crowd on their side, and the golf course is familiar to many of them from previous tournaments.
“But I like the team that Luke has put together. It's a very strong team of 12 players and I think that's the 12 players that I need.”
Pictured: Robert MacIntyre has won two PGA Tour titles since being part of Team Europe's 2023 Ryder Cup triumph in Rome.
“You can certainly say that the players are stronger than they were in Rome. You can say that almost every player is more successful than they were two years ago.
“A player like Bob MacIntyre has won a couple of times on the PGA Tour and had a chance to win the US Open.
“I think when we went to Rome, there were guys who played exclusively foursomes and there were guys who played exclusively fourballs. I think now we have more flexibility within that dozen.”
McIlroy: I need to make sure I play sharp.
McIlroy finished 12th at the BMW Championship and then tied for 23rd at the Tour Championship, where he admits he failed to get all the parts of his game functioning at once.
The victory in Ireland will be his fourth this year, following the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, the Players Championship in March and a decisive Grand Slam victory at the Masters in April.
However, McIlroy insists that getting his golf game in order is more important than winning another trophy before the Ryder Cup.
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McIlroy was spotted enjoying Novak Djokovic's match against Lerner Thien at the US Open just hours after playing golf in Atlanta at the Tour Championship.
The 36-year-old, who will also play in next week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, added: “I'd love to add another 'W' to the column this year, that would be nice, but it's not a must. It would be nice to at least feel really good about my game.”
“I would really like to fight for the win and be at least a little bit better than in BMW and Tour Championship.
“I figured out my putting technique, at least in Atlanta. I thought I was hitting the ball terribly in the BMW, but I was putting well. Then in Atlanta, I was hitting the ball better, but I was putting terribly.
“I just need to try and get everything together and these two weeks are important two weeks to make sure the game is sharp.
“But I think the only way to know you're as sharp as you want to be is to go into battle under pressure, and that's the business side of things on Sunday.
“I think it's important. It's important to give yourself a couple of chances to win.”
Watch the Amgen Irish Open live from 8am Thursday on Sky Sports Golf. Watch contract-free golf with NOW.
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