My mate Rory will prove he’s best in world
Darren Clarke wants Rory McIlroy to lead his European team to victory at Hazeltine – and show he is the world’s best player.
The captain insists his side will be underdogs as they bid to complete a historic fourth straight win over the USA.
But Clarke claims fellow Ulsterman McIlroy can inspire a team including six rookies to another famous victory on American soil.
He said: “Rory leads by example and I’m not alone in thinking that when he is on his game there is no better player in the world.
“We had a dinner for the potential Ryder Cup rookies in Florida which Rory attended. Every time he spoke the others never took their eyes off him. He’s inspirational.
“He commands that much respect for what he is and what he has done. ”
McIlroy, who missed the cut in two Majors this year, was the only European Ryder Cup player to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship after his win at the Deutsche Bank Championship.
And before coming to Atlanta, he spent last weekend in Florida with his new putting guru Phil Kenyon. Clarke said: “When Rory holes putts, he wins.
“It was great to see him win in Boston. He started holing a few in Boston and obviously came out on top. I hope he keeps on doing it at the Ryder Cup.
“To have the best player in the world playing the way he is and holing putts, it’s massive for us.”
Five rookies qualified for Clarke’s team – Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Rafa Cabrera- Bel lo, Andy Sul l ivan and Mat t Fitzpatrick – while Thomas Pieters got a wildcard.
It will mean two players with no Ryder Cup experience will have to play in the opening foursomes on Friday morning.
And captain Clarke must juggle his dozen over the opening two days to avoid sending out inexperienced players together.
He said: “Two rookies together is a big call. Ideally it’s not a scenario you would want to find yourself in.
“You’d have to say America are favourites. But when you get there it’s 12 against 12 in match play and anything can happen.”