Smith: "A relaxed Rory McIlroy might actually be problematic for Team Europe"

Which Rory McIlroy will turn up to the 2025 Ryder Cup?

I've been wondering the answer to this question ever since he collapsed to his knees on the 18th green at Augusta National in April when he finally won The Masters. 

Back then, the general consensus was that an unburdened McIlroy, 36, would go on to have a crack at contending at all three remaining major championships before potentially leading Team Europe to an unlikely victory here at Bethpage Black. 

Yet it has not turned out that way at all. His week at the PGA Championship - where he finished 47th - was overshadowed by a non story about his driver failing a conformance test and his refusal to speak to the media. 

The US Open was slightly better but, again, it was his behaviour on the course that filled column inches. McIlroy lashed out at a tee box marker in frustration during the second round, leading some of his critics to suggest he was showing his true colours. 

McIlroy admitted he was struggling a touch for motivation given he had been consumed with his attempts to scale his own personal Everest for more than a decade. 

He moved on from whatever was bothering him when he returned to Royal Portrush in July at the 153rd Open. Europe's top-ranked golfer didn't quite have enough to chase down Scottie Scheffler in the final round, but he left Northern Ireland with a sense of pride and redemption having missed the cut at Portrush in 2019, overwhelmed by the expectations. 

It wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest McIlroy, mentally, is in a very good place this week. His teammate, Justin Rose, has anointed him Europe's "chief chirper". We've seen plenty of footage of McIlroy fully in his element. Playing darts with best pal Shane Lowry, showing rookie Rasmus Hojgaard the concept of a tie before the gala dinner, chiding his teammates for being 50 yards behind him in the fairway. 

He has also been leaning into his role as the villain this week. McIlroy, for the most part, is adored on both sides of the pond but this week New Yorkers have him in their crosshairs. A chorus of boos rang out as he walked to the first tee during Europe's first practice session. He was also serenaded with the utterly original chants of "U-S-A" after caught a wedge slightly skinny. 

One presumes that the goading will intensify as the week progresses and, despite evidence to the contrary, I believe McIlroy will shrug it off and remain laser-focused with the task at hand. 

I do see one issue for Europe, though, in regards to McIlroy. We all know McIlroy blows hot and cold and he's typically at his best when he is angry and has a point to prove. 

I'm wondering if it might be more in McIlroy and Europe's interest if he were to allow himself to get irritated rather than trying to block out the noise. 

Europe's strategic advisor and former skipper, Paul McGinley, recently revealed McIlroy's nickname. "We call him Pointy Elbows of Ireland," McGinley said. "When he's got something in his sight line, he generally achieves it. He generally performs when he's really passionate about achieving something."

McIlroy acknowledged he'll have to find the right balance with crowd engagement this week when he spoke to reporters at a rainy Bethpage on Thursday. 

"I feel at times in the Ryder Cup, I have engaged too much with that, too much with the crowd. But then there's times where I haven't engaged enough," he said. 

"So it's really just trying to find the balance of using that energy from the crowd to fuel your performance.

"I felt like at Hazeltine, I probably engaged too much at times, and then Whistling Straits, I didn't engage enough and felt pretty flat because of it. It's just trying to find that balance."

Here's to hoping McIlroy does find the right balance. 

Europe's chances depend heavily on it.