Rory McIlroy has said he's on a mission to inspire Europe's Ryder Cup rookies by making the leaderboard a sea of blue at Hazeltine and give his old friend Darren Clarke the victory "he deserves".
Clarke will need Danny Willett, Andy Sullivan, Chris Wood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Thomas Pieters to thrive in the Minnesota pressure cooker this weekend for a fourth crown on the trot to be captured.
McIlroy will head to the US as a seasoned Ryder Cup, fresh from his incredible FedExCup and Tour Championship triumphs, and is desperate to lead by example.
“It’s up to to us to make sure they know what to expect," he told RTÉ Sport when speaking of Europe's first-timers.
"I thought I knew what the Ryder Cup was about; then I got on the first tee at Celtic Manor and it hit me like a tonne of bricks. I was like ‘Oh my God, this is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before'.
The best way to help your team is to be selfish
"It’s just [about] making them aware that that’s how they’re going to feel, and then once they can get over that hurdle they can just get into their mindset of trying to play good golf, trying to hit good golf shots, hole putts when it matters and just do what they came here to do."
The Holywood man has had a turbulent year that has not been without its lows but he appears to have found form at the perfect time.
His ice-cool play-off victory at the Tour Championship prompted Clarke to praise the 27-year-old's "fighting spirit", and describe him as "a hugely inspirational figure". McIlroy is in no mood to let his countryman down.
“I want the boys to look at the board and see blue beside my name," he said.
It’s a special experience; it’s going to be a special week.
"It’s a team event and you have to be a team but the best way to help your team is to be selfish. My goal this week is to win five points. If I win five points that’s the best way I can help my team and that’s what I need to do.
“I met Darren on my 10th birthday at Portrush, which was obviously a huge day for me. I’m not sure he remembers it but I definitely do!
"Seventeen years later we’re on the biggest stage that we have in our game and he’s the captain and I’m playing under him.
"It’s a special experience; it’s going to be a special week. I just hope I can play well enough for him and get him the victory he deserves."
