Rory McIlroy set out his stall after the 2023 Ryder Cup, aiming his sights at New York.
After Team Europe won in Rome, he said, “I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup, and that’s what we’re going to do at Bethpage.”
That’s a cheque that the 2025 Masters winner cannot cash alone. But his team, riding the highs of their Ryder Cup triumph, banged the table in support of their talisman. Ultimately, Rory McIlroy raised expectations for his team in an already pressure-packed environment.
McIlroy’s impact on the young European players is crucial to this team, as they follow him into battle against a hostile New York crowd. Viktor Hovland and Robert MacIntyre explained the effect he has on the team.
Viktor Hovland says Rory McIlroy’s speech made him ‘pumped’ for New York Ryder Cup
Like the rest of his European teammates, Hovland was fired up for Bethpage Black after McIlroy’s comments. Hovland excelled in 2023, handing Scottie Scheffler a record-breaking loss and finishing with a 3-1-1 record.
Brimming with confidence, and ready to take on the challenge of an away Ryder Cup, Hovland explained how he felt after McIlroy’s comments, “Pretty pumped, yeah. Here we are. Let’s do it.”
Tension boiled over during the 2023 Ryder Cup, when Rory McIlroy confronted Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava in an argument that spilt over to the parking lot. That motivated the Northern Irishman to a singles win against Sam Burns the following day.
McIlroy’s confrontation motivated the entire European team. Hovland explained what he means to Team Europe.
He said, “He’s obviously a great player and very skilled, very experienced. But also he carries a lot of weight in the team room, as well. He’s very comforting to have there. He makes everyone in the team room feel good. And I think he brings out the best in everyone in there.
“So it’s great to have a person like that in the team room for sure.”
Robert MacIntyre sings praises of ‘special’ Rory McIlroy
MacIntyre, playing in his second Ryder Cup, was also asked about the impact of McIlroy on Team Europe. He said that he’s happy that Europe’s highest-ranked player is a leader of this team.
He said, “He’s a leader. He’s potentially the greatest European golfer of all time. I mean, these things speak for themselves.
“I’ve looked up to him since I was young, and I’ve got no problem walking behind Rory McIlroy if he’s leading the charge. He’s a guy that’s special to the game of golf but very special to the European side.”
McIlroy’s impact is greater on players such as MacIntyre than the more experienced members of the team. Along with Justin Rose, he’s one of only two European players on this team to have won an away Ryder Cup.
Hovland and MacIntyre need his guidance if they are to pull off the seemingly impossible in New York.
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