McIlroy’s ready for lead role

of dialogue with Paul McGinley, so I felt really a part of a lot of the decision-making and, again, this time, I have had a lot of dialogue with Darren, I have been speaking to him for the last few days.

“I do feel this coming week I am ready to step up and voice an opinion that would be seen to be more valuable than it was back in my last three Ryder Cups.”

While it was McDowell who took McIlroy under his wing at Celtic Manor, and then McGinley who inspired him two years ago, it is Clarke Graeme who McIlroy has always looked up to.

“Playing under Darren is going to be huge and very nostalgic in a way,” said McIlroy. “I have known Darren since I was 10 and now it’s amazing that I am heading to Hazeltine as a member of the European team and he’s the captain.

“When I played my first Ryder Cup it was ‘G-Mac’ who was so helpful, and also Darren, who was a vice-captain, while Lee Westwood had also qualified for the team. But at that stage of my career I was spending a lot of time with Darren and Lee because of the Chubby Chandler

and ISM the waist wearing just crimson-coloured locks and a Scottish kilt ahead of waltzing triumphantly into the USA team room.

“It’s always better winning away from home as there’s more satisfaction winning in the States,” said McIlroy.

“Of course, it is great to win at home where it is like you are playing with a 13th man but in the States it is tough.

“Hopefully it goes our way. If it doesn’t, I don’t know what it would be like because I haven’t experienced losing a Ryder Cup. One thing is for sure, it would be pretty tough and I don’t know what it would feel like going into the American team room and having to socialise with them.”