Team Europe insider warns United States to fear "volatile" Rory McIlroy
Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has warned Team USA he saw a reinvigorated Rory McIlroy during Europe's scouting trip to Bethpage Black.
Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley has warned Team USA he saw a reinvigorated Rory McIlroy during their reconnaissance trip.
McIlroy and his 11 teammates played 27 holes at Bethpage Black over Monday and Tuesday ahead of the 45th edition of the matches next week.
McGinley, who oversaw Europe's 16ยฝ โ 11ยฝ victory over the US at Gleneagles in 2014, said he saw a different side to McIlroy during the scouting trip.
The 58-year-old, who is serving as a strategic advisor for Luke Donald's men, said McIlroy "revelled" during the excursion.
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"He was on a high," he said. "Being around the guys, having a crack, having a banter, being one of the guys.
"Not being Rory McIlroy, the mega superstar that everybody draws on his time. Nobody was drawing on his time.
"You could see how much he loved being around in that environment.
"And I've no doubt that his performance in the K Club was related to stepping up again and getting mentally engaged, getting ready for what he has put down at the start of the year as one of the biggest goals in golf is to win an away Ryder Cup."
In the immediate aftermath of their victory at Marco Simone in Italy two years ago, McIlroy declared Europe would win at Bethpage Black.
McIlroy was recently asked about that comment during a wide-ranging interview with the Guardian.
The Northern Irishman stopped short of repeating his claim, but maintains that this European team is stronger than the one that triumphed in Rome.
He also fired back at Bryson DeChambeau and declared it's "almost inevitable" there will be controversial flashpoint next week.
McGinley believes McIlroy has always been a "volatile performer".
"Rory's success and Roryโs career has never been a straight line," McGinley said. "You could look through it.
"There's been loads of dips in his career. You know, when he won major championships, he kind of dipped. He's had loads of dips in his career and then he comes roaring back.
"Rory is charismatic. Rory is dynamic in how he plays. He's a risk taker and he draws people in because he kind of plays in the Arnold Palmer style.
"It's no surprise that Scottie Sheffler is leading the world rankings. I don't know if Rory will ever lead the world rankings again because he doesn't have the consistency that Scottie does.
"And the world rankings are based on performance over a two-year period. Week in, week out, week in, week out.
"Rory's personality is in and out. He gets a flourish and he looks unbeatable and then he looks like heโs going to miss the cut. But then he comes back again.
"One of the things you can always say about Rory โ we call him Pointy Elbows of Ireland โ when he's got something in his sight line, he generally achieves it.
"He generally performs when he's really passionate about achieving something."
The 2025 Ryder Cup gets underway next Friday.
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