When it came to this year's Ryder Cup, it seemed that no player shouldered more responsibility for the fortunes of their team than Rory McIlroy.
Having underperformed during the most recent edition of the event in Whistling Straits in 2021, he made it clear that he planned to redeem himself in Rome this week.
He more than did so.
The Holywood native played a starring role in all three days at Marco Simone, including during this afternoon's singles. Coming out third for the European team, he would defeat Sam Burns 3&1 to get his team closer to regaining the trophy.
DRINK IT IN!! 😍@McIlroyRory secures out 13th point of the week.#TeamEurope | #RyderCup pic.twitter.com/FGlMeRL2H4
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) October 1, 2023
Having picked up four points this week, it represents Rory McIlroy's best ever personal return at a Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy gives incredibly emotional Ryder Cup interview
Rory McIlroy was hugely emotional after the heavy defeat Europe suffered in 2021, breaking down in tears during an interview after the end of the event.
He shed a couple more at the 2023 Ryder Cup, although they came for very different reasons. Having been involved in some high profile incidents with the USA team yesterday, he used that to fuel him against Burns today.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he struggled to contain his emotions as he fought back tears while summing up what this week meant to him and the team as a whole.
I needed that to fuel me today and not let it take away from what's been a great week.
I felt I used it to my advantage, I came out here with a different level of focus and different level of determination. In a way for the whole team, it lit a fire under our bellies a bit.
I just wanted to come out and win another point for Europe.
Ever since Whistling Straits, I was so disappointed in my performance there. To come here to Rome and get four points for the team, it means a lot to me. Hopefully we can just get it done...
It's a great bounce back after what happened in Whistling Straits. The team we have is incredible, it's a young team that I think will be around for a long time.
The support we had this week was absolutely unbelievable. It's been a great week for me personally, but we need to go and follow the boys here to get them into the house and get this thing over and done with.
Emotional stuff.
Rory McIlroy was certainly the leader in the European team room at this year's Ryder Cup, something he backed up with his performances on the course.
It's brilliant to see him playing his best golf in this event, something that hasn't always been the case in the past.
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