New feeling: Rory McIlroy warning for Ryder Cup rookies ahead of Hazeltine showdown with US
Europe will have six newcomers on their team under Darren Clarke as they seek a fourth consecutive win in the biennial match play event
Rory McIlroy on Wednesday warned Europe’s Ryder Cup rookies to prepare for the toughest golf environment of their careers ahead of this month’s biennial battle with the United States.
World number three McIlroy, who was speaking ahead of the BMW Championship, said he planned to brief the five first-timers in Europe’s ranks about what to expect when hostilities get under way at Hazeltine National from September 30.
McIlroy, 27, is a veteran of winning European sides in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and said even now he had still not got fully comfortable with the bearpit-like atmosphere of the tournament – and this year it is being played in the Americans’ own backyard.
“I was really uncomfortable in 2010, I was just uncomfortable in 2012 and I was somewhat uncomfortable in 2014,” McIlroy said. “It’s a tournament where you get feelings you’ve never had before.”
McIlroy said he would emphasise the unique nature of the event to reigning Masters champion Danny Willett, the Englishman who pulled off a shock victory at Augusta in April to land his first major.
