Rory McIlroy has chance to move ahead of two golf legends at 2025 Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy once again made it no secret to reporters on Thursday at Bethpage just how much the Ryder Cup now means to him.

Although a fresh-faced McIlroy once described the Ryder Cup as nothing more than an exhibition, the now five-time major champion has completely changed his tune in recent years of the biennial contest.

McIlroy admits his views on the Ryder Cup immediately changed when once listening to a sick Seve Ballesteros reduce the European Ryder Cup team to tears. 

Having already achieved a lifelong ambition of completing the career grand slam at The Masters in April, among four victories on the season including The Players Championship, a first win at Pebble Beach and a home Irish Open win, McIlroy is ready to end his season with a bang and a second away win and sixth overall in the Ryder Cup. 

"The memorable moments and the most fun I've had in my career have been at Ryder Cup," McIlroy told reporters 24 hours before the start of the 2025 Ryder Cup. 

McIlroy added: "I do think that, as I said, winning another away Ryder Cup, just considering how hard that has been over the past 12 years, it would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career for sure."

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McIlroy balled his eyes out when Europe lost to the United States in their last away game at Whistling Straits in 2021.

It was a horror week for Padraig Harrington's European side that week, falling to a record-breaking 10-point loss at the hands of Steve Stricker's USA. 

But the next time around McIlroy made immediate amends when leading from the front as top points scorer as Europe crushed USA by five points at Marco Simone in 2023. 

The Northern Irishman took four points from a possible five in Rome, and if he does that again this week then he will once again write more records. 

McIlroy needs three points at Bethpage in order to move ahead of Spanish great Jose Maria Olazabal, who ended his career with 20.5 points at the Ryder Cup.

The Ulsterman can also move ahead of late Spanish great Ballesteros too, but he will need to take all five points in New York if he's to do that. 

McIlroy has amassed a total of 18 points in Ryder Cup history, which ranks him eighth in the all-time European leading points scorers list. 

Scroll down to see the top 10 list...

McIlroy's overall Ryder Cup record is 16–13–4.

Sergio Garcia is the all-time leading Ryder Cup points scorer with 28.5 points. 

McIlroy will no doubt have that target on his back. 

Here's a look at the top 10 European players on the all-time leading points scorers list at the Ryder Cup:

How many points will McIlroy register at the 2025 Ryder Cup?

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