McIlroy: We’re not intimidated by ‘Tiger factor’
Rory McIlroy says Tiger Woods’ recent victory will not shift the focus of Team Europe heading into the Ryder Cup.
Woods earned his first win in five years on one of golf’s biggest stages on Sunday. The PGA Tour finale saw Woods march down the 18th at East Lake with throngs of fans chanting “Tiger, Tiger” as he cruised to a deserved victory.
The huge reaction on social media was an indication of the clout that Woods still has on the global game, and now that clout is arriving on European shores with 11 of his mates to defend their Ryder Cup title.
McIlroy, however, is nonplussed.
“This week he is one of 12,” the Northern Irishman told the Independent.
“We’re not looking to beat any one individual and to focus on one player is silly, especially as I might not even see him this week.
“I don’t want to speculate how he’s going to play or how he’s going to do but it’s given their team some momentum coming over here. But we’re looking to beat the USA team not Tiger Woods.”
McIlroy – who has been part of every Ryder Cup since 2010 – went on to say that the Europeans strength has always been a strong sense of team identity.
However, with Team USA, young guns Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas have added a new brotherhood dynamic to the visitors who arrive in France as the favourites on paper.
“The strength of Europe has been we all get behind one another, even whatever differences we have we put them to the side for this week and we are a cohesive unit,” continued McIlroy.
“That has served us well for the Ryder Cups we’ve had success in. We’ve won a little more than we’ve lost in the last few years.
“The American team is very strong and the dynamic has become a little more cohesive in the last few years and I think that is to do with the younger guys coming on board and embracing the Ryder Cup. Jordan, Rickie, JT and those guys spend a lot of time together and it seems the togetherness is there a bit more than it was in the 1990s and 2000s.”
The Ryder Cup tees off at Le Golf National on Friday with Team USA looking to win in Europe for the first time in 25 years.
Latest
-
NewsBrooks Koepka makes promising start to US Open as Phil Mickelson struggles
Koepka won the title in 2017 and 2018 and was second in 2019.
-
NewsBrooks Koepka makes impressive start in bid for third US Open victory
Brooks Koepka made an impressive start to his bid for a third US Open victory in five years as Phil Mickelson’s hopes of completing the career grand slam suffered a significant blow.Koepka, who won the title in 2017 and 2018 and was second in 2019, carded an opening 69 at Torrey Pines to lie two shots behind early clubhouse leader Russell Henley.Former Open champion Francesco Molinari was a shot off the lead following a 68, but Mickelson was four over par approaching the end of his round, a month after becoming the oldest champion in major history with his shock victory in the US PGA Cham…
-
NewsPhil Mickelson makes bad start to US Open title bid
The six-time major winner is looking to complete a career grand slam.
-
Dave TindallUS Open at Torrey Pines: Rahm is ready to become a Major man
The Spaniard is the clear favourite in San Diego this week when he returns to the scene of his first PGA TOUR win.
-
NewsShane Lowry hopes to have luck on his side at Torrey Pines
The Open champion finished in a tie for fourth in last month’s US PGA.
-
NewsLee Westwood hopes 121st US Open is a marriage made in heaven
The 48-year-old is taking inspiration from recent performances from Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink and Padraig Harrington.
-
NewsRory McIlroy hopes ‘indifferent’ attitude can help him win more majors
The Northern Irishman is looking to get back to form at the US Open.
-
NewsFocus on Phil Mickelson as veteran bids for career grand slam at Torrey Pines
The 50-year-old become golf’s oldest major champion with victory in the US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island last month..
-
NewsOn This Day in 2008: Tiger Woods wins US Open in dramatic fashion
The then world number one had twice denied Rocco Mediate victory at the 18th.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau pledges to be a team man for the United States at Ryder Cup
The defending US Open champion has an ongoing rivalry with Brooks Koepka.