McGinley ponders McIlroy’s position in Ryder team
What to do with Rory McIlroy? This is one of Paul McGinley’s main dilemmas as he goes into the 40th Ryder Cup trying to justify Europe’s position as overwhelming favourites to win for a sixth time in seven matches.
McGinley will no doubt insist that in his dream role — in the job for which the Dubliner has worked and planned perhaps more meticulously and tirelessly than any captain before — this happens to be the dream dilemma.
With two majors to his name this year, as well as a WGC title and the European Tour’s flagship Wentworth crown, the Northern Irishman is the golfer who clearly stands apart. Which captain would not want McIlroy as his lead man?
“One thing that Rory has showed is that he’s comfortable with being favourite,” McGinley said.
“He was the favourite going into the USPGA at Valhalla and he was right at the top of the leaderboard and finished the job, just like he did at the Open too. He relished the fact he was going out in the last round with an advantage to defend. In fact, Rory has proved throughout his career that he likes being the lead man.”
Agreed. And so, too, did Tiger Woods. But not when it came to being the lead in the Ryder Cup. McGinley is aware of this and recognises that the biennial dust-up is unlike any other golf event and, indeed, unlike any other sporting encounter. Just ask the likes of Hal Sutton, Curtis Strange, Tom Lehman and, most recently, Davis Love about the propensity for a supposedly outrageous strength to turn into a defining weakness.
Quite enough has been said about Woods, kryptonite, Ryder Cup and unstoppable momentum to acknowledge the bizarre perils of having the indisputable No 1 on side. That is why McGinley is as undecided on McIlroy.
“He’s obviously going to have a big role at Gleneagles, but I haven’t yet crystallised exactly what that role will be,” McGinley said. “My communication with Rory will determine that. I want his feedback first.”
But he already knows what McIlroy will say. Dare he hide him to protect his team?
One captain’s quandary is another’s opportunity and Paul Azinger, the one United States captain to have cracked the code this century, believes Tom Watson has little option but to go hunting McIlroy as he seeks to gain the early impetus which is so vital for any away team.