Rory McIlroy enters the next Ryder Cup brimming with confidence and determination. For the Northern Irishman, winning an away Ryder Cup represents one of the greatest feats in golf, and with the European team in fine form, he believes they can topple the Americans at Bethpage.
His memories stretch back to 2012, when Europe staged the “Miracle at Medinah.” Back then, McIlroy admits he didn’t fully appreciate the difficulty of winning away. More than a decade later, with experience and perspective, he longs to relive that feeling. The Ryder Cup, he insists, thrives on away victories because they add an extra dimension to the contest, like breaking serve in tennis.
Drama has followed McIlroy in past Ryder Cups—from exchanges with American fans to his heated clash with Joe LaCava in Rome—but he shrugs it off as part of the event’s intensity. With New York crowds expected to be fiery, McIlroy says the key will be unity: protecting each other, keeping focus, and channeling the energy into performance.
McIlroy arrives at Bethpage as the sixth man in history to complete the career grand slam, his triumph at Augusta earlier this year cementing his place among golf’s legends. Winning the Masters, after a decade-long pursuit, brought immense joy but also forced him to recalibrate. While fans speculated about a calendar slam, McIlroy wanted only to savor the moment before setting new goals.
Yet the hunger remains. He speaks of wanting more—another Open, a long-awaited US Open, and Ryder Cup glory with caddie Harry Diamond by his side. Beyond personal milestones, McIlroy emphasizes the journey and the people who have stood with him throughout.
He admits, however, that the weekly grind can sometimes feel heavy. For him, it’s the majors and the Ryder Cup that truly matter now. Week-to-week results fade into the background, but those defining tournaments fuel his passion.
Reflecting on his career, McIlroy acknowledges the paradox of fame. At times he yearns for peace and anonymity, but he accepts the spotlight as part of his achievements. “This is my time in the sun,” he says, conscious that it won’t last forever. For now, though, he embraces the stage, focused on writing the next unforgettable chapter of his golfing story.
