World No. 1 Rory McIlroy insists his has no fear using a new driver heading into Friday’s much-anticipated start to the 40th Ryder Cup.
After a horror 2013 season with the longest club in his bag and McIlroy has managed to storm his way to a fourth Major success, a first BMW PGA triumph and a maiden World Golf Championship on the back of his driver.
Rory McIlroy insists he has no fear putting a new driver in the bag for this week’s Ryder Cup showdown. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golfffile.ie)
McIlroy’s decision to take a new driver into the Ryder Cup immediately rekindled memories of Phil Mickelson changing from Titleist to Callaway clubs shortly before the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills but then only to lose twice on the opening day in partnership with Tiger Woods and won just one point from four matches at Europe stormed to a record nine-point win.
The 25-year old McIlroy revealed on Wednesday that he had been practicing with the club for months and was all too aware of the Mickelson’s struggles a decade ago.
“Phil Mickelson nearly hit me off the first tee in 2004,” joked McIlroy, who was in Detroit as a spectator after helping Europe win the junior Ryder Cup in Ohio.
“I was standing down the left-hand side, so I’m very aware of what he did that week.
“Hey look, Phil changed from one equipment manufacturer to another. This is a driver that I’ve actually been using and practising with since June. I wouldn’t be putting it in the bag if I didn’t feel it was better.
“I think everyone saw yesterday it was the only driver I had out there in the bag. It’s looking likely that it’s going to be in the bag this week.”
McIlroy is competing in his third straight Ryder Cup and looking to again, as he had done in Medinah, play all five matches.
And he was asked if he were to be a member of a third straight winning European Team would it diminish the importance of the Ryder Cup given it would mean European having won seven of the past nine Ryder Cups.
“Even if we win this week, we’re still a long way behind what the U.S. have done over the
years,” said McIlroy.
“No, not at all. You look at the records, and I mean, I think the States won, I don’t know how many in a row at one stage. We’ve still got a long way to go.
“Europe has still got a long way to go to catch up with America, and even though we’ve been successful, the last few, that doesn’t mean that things can change, but I definitely don’t think it will put into any doubt the competitive nature of The Ryder Cup or
people will lose interest because it’s such a great event. It brings people together and — no.
“The United States Team are very strong and I don’t want to get into if we win this week and what will happen. The Ryder Cup will go on whether Europe wins or loses, and it will be just as big and just as great an event either way.”
