Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy to Lead Team Europe in Ryder Cup Showdown
Rory McIlroy's Ryder Cup journey began in 2010 when, as a 21-year-old rookie, he witnessed his teammates overcome with emotion during a heartfelt moment in the locker room...
“I watched Ryder Cups growing up. I cried whenever America won - at Brookline...”
Rory McIlroy is set to lead Team Europe in the Ryder Cup against the United States at Bethpage Black. McIlroy's experience in the tournament dates back to 2010, when he was a 21-year-old rookie. He credits his time on the European team with teaching him the importance of camaraderie and teamwork.
As a seasoned golfer, McIlroy is now in a leadership role, and his teammates look up to him for inspiration. His ability to motivate and bring out the best in his teammates will be crucial in the upcoming match. A win against the US would be a significant achievement for McIlroy and Team Europe.
“He's a leader. He's potentially the greatest European golfer of all time. I mean, these things speak for themselves,” Scotland's Robert MacIntyre said.
“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.”
Rory McIlroy, the world number two, is driven to lead Team Europe to a fifth Ryder Cup victory on US soil. With five Ryder Cup wins in seven appearances, McIlroy brings extensive experience to the team. His goal is to deliver a win in a way that surpasses his previous successes, leveraging the lessons he's learned throughout his career.
McIlroy's Ryder Cup Experience
Five-Time Winner: McIlroy has won the Ryder Cup five times, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Leadership Role: As a seasoned golfer, McIlroy is well-equipped to lead Team Europe, drawing on his experience to motivate and guide his teammates.
US Soil Victory: A win on US soil would be a significant achievement, rounding out McIlroy's Ryder Cup legacy.
“I watched Ryder Cups growing up. I cried whenever America won - at Brookline. It's not as if I didn't feel something when I watched Ryder Cups. But I got into that team room at Celtic Manor and I just saw how much it meant to everyone. I was like, maybe I got this wrong.”
Rory McIlroy was part of the 2010 European Ryder Cup team that had a memorable conference call with Spanish golf legend Seve Ballesteros. During the call, Ballesteros offered words of encouragement and support, leaving a lasting impact on McIlroy and the team. Tragically, Ballesteros passed away the following year at the age of 54 due to brain cancer.
Blue on the board 🇪🇺#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/cXmzQVOIyU
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 25, 2025
“Seve was sick,” McIlroy said. “He's speaking to the team and we're all in the team room... and I look around and the majority of the team is crying as Seve is talking to us.
“And I'm like, that's it. That's the embodiment of what the European Ryder Cup team is.”
Rory McIlroy is set to lead Team Europe's charge at the Ryder Cup, with teammate Jon Rahm praising him as “the biggest name we have in Europe.” McIlroy's experience and leadership skills will be crucial as the team aims to break the trend of home-team dominance in the competition. Captain Luke Donald's strategic approach, including using virtual reality to simulate hostile crowds, has also been key in preparing the team for the challenging atmosphere at Bethpage Black.
Collar up Rory is a vibe 😎#TeamEurope | #OurTimeOurPlace pic.twitter.com/Fxd1aDgDqS
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 25, 2025
“He's the best player we have in Europe, and he's definitely the biggest presence. That's his role.
“It's special to have him around. He's a heck of a superstar. My respect for his game only grows the more time I spend with him.
“He has gone from being an incredibly good player to a great Ryder Cup player to now being, I would say, the cornerstone that team Europe needs.”
Rory McIlroy's Impact on Team Europe
Viktor Hovland praises Rory McIlroy's ability to “bring out the best” in teammates, highlighting McIlroy's positive influence on the team. With a match record of 16-13-4 in Ryder Cup play, McIlroy's experience and leadership will be invaluable as Team Europe takes on the United States.
“He's obviously a great player and very skilled, very experienced, but also he carries a lot of weight in the team room,” Hovland said. “He's very comforting to have there.
“I think he brings out the best in everyone in there. It's great to have a person like that in the team room.”
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, finds Rory McIlroy inspiring. After Fitzpatrick secured his first Ryder Cup point with McIlroy's support in 2023, McIlroy expressed pride in Fitzpatrick's achievement. Their partnership in the fourballs session against Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele showcased McIlroy's leadership and Fitzpatrick's growing experience in the tournament. McIlroy's ability to motivate teammates like Fitzpatrick has been crucial in Team Europe's success.
“You can see it every day in the practice we have, the discussions we have, his attitude towards the week and how important it is to him that he wants to succeed,” Fitzpatrick said.
“That gets everyone else going around him and we want to be part of that.”
Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, praises his close friend Rory McIlroy, saying he'll “lead from the front” in the Ryder Cup. As a key player for Team Europe, McIlroy's leadership skills and experience will be crucial in the team's quest to reclaim the trophy from the United States. Lowry, known for his engaging personality, brings a unique energy to the team and plays a vital role in keeping spirits high in the team room. With McIlroy's guidance and Lowry's enthusiasm, Team Europe is poised for a strong performance.
“Just to have one of the greatest golfers of your generation in your team room, as well, is pretty cool,” Lowry said. “Everyone feels very lucky to have him on our team.”
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