McIlroy: ‘US Ryder win good for golf’

EUROPE’S star man Rory McIlroy admits his first Ryder Cup loss hurts — but he accepts it may have been what the event needed to keep it interesting.

The Northern Irishman not only suffered overall defeat after three successive wins but was also beaten in singles for the first time. Rory was taken down by Patrick Reed in a thrilling contest at the top of the order which went all the way to the 18th green.

McIlroy admits he ran out of gas towards the end after his efforts to drag Europe back into it after their 4-0 opening day foursomes whitewash.

“Yeah, it does hurt. It’s disappointing for us as a team and for me personally, taking on the role to go out and put a blue point on the board. I didn’t do my job,” he said.

“We would definitely like to be feeling what the Americans are f eeling right now.

“However, saying that, they haven’t felt this for a while. It’s been eight years since they felt this feeling.

“They deserve it. They deserve their moment. We’ll come back better and stronger in Paris.”

He added: “It’s very disappointing, obviously, but I think it’s good for golf. I think it keeps the Ryder Cup i nteresting going i nto France i n a couple of years’ time.

“Not that we need any more incentive but we’re going to want to get it back on our home turf next time.”

World No 3 McIlroy, the highest-ranked player in the European side and winner of four Majors, was a target for the rowdy American galleries from the off and had a few run-ins with rowdy fans.

He had one supporter ejected for shouting abuse at him.

Rory McIlroy