Rory McIlroy aiming to lead European team by example

In the week that’s in it, here’s a reminder of how the legendary Arnold Palmer once tried to explain the sport: “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated.”

Here, on the outskirts of Minneapolis, we have proof. Just days after pocketing $11.5 million for his Tour Championship and FedEx Cup wins, Rory McIlroy is playing for no financial incentives in the Ryder Cup and probably feeling more pressure. Go figure, as they say.

McIlroy, without his customary branding, has morphed from individualist into one of those leaders in the European team room. Exuberant, confident – why wouldn’t he be? – and even a little cheeky.

He may live mostly in the US, have an American fiancée and have claimed more greenbacks on the PGA Tour this season than anyone else but the glint in his eye and quick wit are all part of his upbringing from home.

Of Davis Love III’s assertion that this was the “greatest” USA team, McIlroy said: “Obviously I’ve followed everything and I’ve had a bit of fun with it, with the taskforce and you know, ‘greatest team ever assembled’ and whatever else they are talking about. But it’s going to be tough this week. You know, every Ryder Cup is.”

Taste of defeat

The fact is that McIlroy doesn’t know what it’s like to lose in a Ryder Cup, to feel that sour taste of defeat. Celtic Manor. Medinah. Gleneagles. Three appearances, three wins.

“We anticipate how hard this is going to be. But at the same time, I’ve never been on a losing Ryder Cup team and I hope that that stays the same way on Sunday,” he said.

Part of the reason for McIlroy’s desire to bring the confidence from East Lake to Hazeltine and play a leadership role is that Darren Clarke is the captain. It was on his 10th birthday that McIlroy first got to meet Clarke. His parents Gerry and Rosie McIlroy had given him a number of birthday presents to mark his move into double-digits: one was a rusty Cleveland wedge, the other a voucher to play at Royal Portrush.

It was while using that wedge on the practice area at Portrush on that birthday visit that Clarke happened to be chipping away in the same place at the same time. Introductions were made: the man who took down Tiger Woods in the World Matchplay and a top 10 player in the world meeting a wunderkind and future great.

“I was chipping around the practice green and he was doing the same thing, and he just said to me, ‘Practise, practise, practise’, and that’s always been his motto. I think that’s one of the things that has been underestimated about Darren throughout the years is how much of a practiser he was and how much hard work he did put into it,” McIlroy says.

“That day has always stuck with me, and even this week, all those memories come sort of rushing back, of the times that we’ve spent together from Portrush down to Portmarnock where he held his [Darren Clarke] Foundation weekend every year.

“Here we are, in the biggest stage of the game, and I’m able to play under him as a Ryder Cup captain and I’m very much looking forward to that . . . I’ve always wanted the win for the captain, but probably even more so this year just because of Darren and the relationship that we have.”

Distinctive strut

McIlroy, ranked number three in the world, is up for this. He is in form, with that distinctive strut of his back as part of his armoury. The clubs are twirling after shots, the putter rising to the skies to greet putts holed. All the trademarks you associate from a player exuding confidence are there.

Once upon a time – and McIlroy needs no reminding of his “exhibition” quip before he ever got to play in the match – there was an innocence about him. He had a tendency to speak without thinking.

“I underestimated what it was going to be like. I made a couple of comments before the 2010 Ryder Cup that seem very stupid now,” he says.

Now, it seems, he has seen the light. He knows what the Ryder Cup is all about and that he has grown into a leader.

Team leader

“I’ve definitely become more comfortable in that role. I think in 2010 and even in 2012. In 2012 I came into the Ryder Cup number one-ranked player in the world. I had just won my second Major championship, I won two of the four FedEx Cup events. 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,” he says.

“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 rally our guys and be one of the leaders and speak up in the team room but definitely lead by example on the course. I did that last time and hopefully I can do that again. I relish that role. I understand it’s a big responsibility, but I feel like I’m ready to take that on my shoulders and lead by example.”