Rory McIlroy has described the United States as the greatest country in the world on the eve of the Ryder Cup.
The Northern Irishman will spearhead the European challenge as they attempt to beat the Americans at Bethpage Black this week.
Having already been booed during practice, the world number two is expected to be targeted by a raucous, partisan home crowd when play gets under way in New York on Friday.
Yet that has not affected McIlroy's love for a country where he and his family are mainly based and where he has spent the majority of his professional career.
The 36-year-old, who this year became only the sixth player to complete a career grand slam, said: "Everyone wanted to make it in America, it's the land of opportunity and I still believe it's the best country in the world.
"We are here and we are playing for history."
"If you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want.
"I am unbelievably grateful and lucky that I got to come to America early on. I think success is celebrated here. I think there's a wonderful sense of work ethic.
"I live here. My wife is American, my daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is a wonderful place."
That will not stop McIlroy from doing his utmost to steer Europe to victory over the weekend.
Europe are defending the trophy but have not won away from home since 2012 and have done so only four times since the contest was expanded to include players from the continent in 1979.
McIlroy said: "Basically since 2012, the home team has won convincingly every time.
"Whatever team is the one to break that duck I think is going to go down as one of the best teams in Ryder Cup history. We are here and we are playing for history."
McIlroy's passion for the Ryder Cup was evident in Rome two years ago when he clashed with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava and tensions boiled over in the car park after play.
Even though he may have achieved more individually, he rates his team experiences among his career highlights.
McIlroy, appearing in the event for the eighth time, said: "I've always said I'm proudest of my individual achievements in the game but the most memorable moments and the most fun I've had in my career have been at Ryder Cups.
"Winning another away Ryder Cup, just considering how hard that has been over the past 12 years, would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career for sure."
On being targeted by the crowd, McIlroy hopes to turn the attention to his advantage.
He said: "I feel at times in the Ryder Cup I have engaged too much with the crowd, but then there's times where I haven't engaged enough.
"It's really just trying to find the balance of using that energy from the crowd to fuel your performance."
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