Rory McIlroy (right) will be on a mission to Rome to atone for his loss at Whistling Channel two years ago. Photo: Getty Images/Mike Ehrmann
Rory McIlroy, an avowed Tiger Woods fan, knows all about the Ryder Cup record that belies everything else in the icon's career.
McIlroy also recognizes that this is not a record anomaly: Phil Mickelson, the second most decorated male golfer of the era, also boasts a biennial record that sounds less like «USA, USA!» and much more: “Oh my God, my God!”
Could it be that the third best player of this century — with apologies to Brooks Koepka — also gets an individual winning percentage in the Ryder Cup, which stands in stark contrast to his success outside of team form?
As it stands, McIlroy's odds are exactly 50 percent, he scored 12 points in 24 games for Europe. Woods had a surprisingly low 39.2 percent (14.5 of 37), while Mickelson had a slightly more respectable 44.7 (21.5 of 47).
No doubt McIlroy will say his only focus is on the overall result and with four victories already celebrated, he still left Woods and Mickelson in the rear view of his captain's buggies. Woods was on the winning side once — again, incredibly — and Mickelson three times.
McGinley, one of the Cup's greatest scholars, provides statistics. Luke Donald — 70 percent, Colin Montgomery — 65.28, Ian Poulter — 64, Sergio Garcia — 63.34, Jose Maria Olazabal — 62.9, Justin Rose — 60.87, Seve Ballesteros — 60.81… that's legends McIlroy follows. “That will be his goal, to take down these guys,” McGinley said. “50 per cent is not bad and fair enough, his rate dropped in the Whistling Straits two years ago — when he won just one point out of four — but previously he was not up to 60-odd per cent.”
McIlroy was a bit defensive when he was given the record. “Everyone thinks they could do more,” he said. “Yes, 18 holes, match play is certainly not a coin toss, but I've had a few Ryder Cup matches where I didn't play well and didn't win, and I've also had some great matches and lost. I feel like in the six Ryder Cups I've been in, I've made a good contribution to most of them.
“The numbers were a little skewed last time, but yes, it’s important to feel like you’re doing your best. a piece. Like everyone saw at Wisconsin [when he cried after losing the first three games], I didn't feel like I did what I should have done and obviously I'm trying to make up for that this year.»
Statistics don't lie, and as McGinley implied, McIlroy wasn't bothering the «greats» when he arrived in Wisconsin. In Paris 2018 he won two of five, meaning he has only three points from his last nine matches and, back to his outstanding singles performance against Patrick Reed at Hazeltine, three points from his last 10.
“Rory will find out, and it will be urgent to fix it,” says McGinley. «Yeah, there's still [Jon] Rahm and now Viktor [Hovland], but the team is looking at Rory.»
Another Irishman thinks that's the whole point. “Monty used to say that beating Tiger was like 'cutting the head off a snake,'” Padraig Harrington, captain of the 2021 team, told Telegraph Sport. “The thing is, at this level, in 18-hole match play, anyone can beat anyone and the smallest thing can make a difference. A draw with Tiger felt almost like a loss — you were an underdog who wasn't expected to win. Perhaps the same thing will happen to Rory, as the Americans will think: “it may affect the others if we see him off.” This gives them confidence.”
Leading up to this match, the spotlight was on Wyndham Clark. On Thursday, the debutant practically named the four-time major winner. “That’s exactly who I want—I’d love to play Rory,” Clark told Golf Channel. “I have a lot of respect for Rory. Because of this respect, I also want to defeat him. I like to think I'm better than him and I want to prove it.»
Clark won two professional titles in his eight years as a professional; McIlroy has 37 in 15 years. However, Clarke denied McIlroy victory at June's US Open and will know that the Ulsterman's singles record is 3.5 points from six. Montgomery and Poulter each played eight singles games and never lost.
Wyndham Clark beat Rory McIlroy (right) by a hole-in-one to win the US Open in June. Photo: Getty Images/Cliff Hawkins
In light of this, the visitors would be foolish not to target McIlroy's back, especially when he's playing in doubles. He has scored just two points in his last seven fours and fourballs and, with six partners in his last three Cups, is clearly desperate for a long-term pairing.
McIlroy thought he had it done when he and Thomas Pieters won three matches in 2016, but the Belgian never made a second appearance. «I'll keep coming back to this, I suspect Rory is at his best when he's challenged, and that means his partner,» says McGinley. “Peters was one of the best hitters on the European Tour and Rory felt he had to be at his best to match him this week.
'However, when he was put in as the father, the newcomer — as he had done several times (with Andy Sullivan, Torbjorn Olesen and Shane Lowry) — they lost and the pair were quickly put on hold for the match, which is too tiring and inspires opponents. He needs an equal player, or at least someone who can live with his hitting of the ball. Maybe this time it will be [newcomer Ludwig] Aberg, or Victor, or Tommy [Fleetwood].Harrington agrees. “There are famous players who only care about themselves and their achievements, and if they don't evaluate their playing partners, they may even ignore them,” he says. “Rory is the complete opposite, but maybe he's going the other way, worrying too much about the other guy and carrying him around. Perhaps you want him to be a little selfish. I wouldn't write off the Rory and Shane pairing we tried in 2021 [at Whistling Slates]. This still has the makings of a very good duo.”
Whatever and whoever it is, McIlroy is determined to give it his all. “Luke doesn't expect me to make big speeches, but if I can lead by example and be first in the team room in a meeting or first on the bus or something like that, I'll do it,” he said. “Even though this is my seventh Ryder Cup, I will do what I have to do and not stop there. This is exactly how I would like to lead. Oh, and top your pin by making birdies and painting a little blue on this board.»
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