Rory McIlroy says he already has goosebumps ahead of the upcoming Ryder Cup Le Golf National and admits he will still experience first-tee nerves in Paris this week.
McIlroy has an immediate chance to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment at the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta last weekend, where he was Woods’ playing partner as the American claimed his first PGA Tour title in five years.
McIlroy’s final day challenge faded and has now set his sights on further Ryder Cup success. He has been paired with Jon Rahm in the early practice session, leading to speculation about the likelihood of the duo combining for the four-balls.
It will be his fifth appearance in the competition since his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010, and told RTÉ Sport his attitude towards the Ryder Cup has changed significantly over the years.
"Going into my first Ryder Cup, I didn’t know what all the fuss was about. I thought it was a team event that didn’t really matter. I was more concerned about individual titles," he said.
"Once I got onto that first tee on Friday morning, I thought, ‘this is a little different to what I expected’. It was nerve-wrecking. It takes you a few times to get the ball to settle on the tee.
"I’m sure Friday morning, if I’m playing, will be no different. It’s a huge grand stand. I was playing a practice round yesterday, with basically no people in it, and I still got goosebumps looking at it."
McIlroy does not believe that the ‘Tiger Woods factor’ will be decisive in this week’s Ryder Cup.
Woods completed one of the greatest comebacks in golf last weekend off the back of a host of medical and personal problems in the American’s life in recent years.
McIlroy got a close-up view of the wave of emotion that helped to carry the 42-year-old to victory.
However, while the Northern Irishman recognises that a resurgent Woods will offer problems for the European team in Paris, he is also confident in the abilities of his Ryder Cup team-mates.
"It’s a strong team, I think every American team we’ve faced in the last few years has been a very strong team," he told RTÉ Sport.
"Obviously individually where the rankings are and how they played this year and the little bit of momentum they have coming in after last weekend, with one of their greatest players having a great week... they’re very strong.
"But I think we’re very strong too. We’ve got a lot of experience on this golf course which I think should help.
"Ryder Cups are always tight and I don’t think one is going to be different."
While all the headlines focused on Woods’ road to redemption last weekend, there was disappointment for McIlroy, who was very much in contention going into the final round.
Her was just three shots behind Woods at the start of the fourth round but his expected challenge never materialised as he struggled off the tee.
"I’m disappointed because I didn’t give him a better fight and I should have played better," he said. "I didn’t hit fairways which you need to do around there.
"It was great to see him win but at the same time I was disappointed in my performance and that’s the main thing for me.
"It’s great that he won and great for golf and all that but it’s a new week and a we have a new challenge and that’s what we’re focused on."
McIlroy has an immediate chance to bounce back from last weekend’s disappointment and has been paired with Jon Rahm in the early practice session at the Ryder Cup, leading to speculation about the likelihood of the duo combining for the four-balls.
Regardless of who is eventually grouped with, McIlroy believes that match-play is an environment in which he thrives and admits that some of his most treasured golfing memories have come from the Ryder Cup.
"I think with it being match-play you either have a win or lose mentality. It’s pretty finite, you play well you win, you don’t play well you lose.
"That extra bit of aggression or decisiveness maybe that sometimes I haven’t had in stroke play events is what you need in a Ryder Cup and I think this in a format that brings it out of you.
"My best experiences in my career have been at the Ryder Cup.
"I’m obviously proudest of my individual achievements but when I look back over the last 11 or 12 years when I’ve been a pro, the best times I’ve had have been at Ryder Cups and that’s because you share moments with other people."
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