The present European Ryder Cup captain along with the immediate past captain each are expecting World No. 1 Rory McIlroy to take more of a leading role in this month’s Ryder Cup.

Two years ago the curly-haired young Ulsterman went to Celtic Manor as one of six wide-eyed European rookies looking, listening and learning.

However last week McIlroy spoke of what he felt was now obligation, as a two-time Major winner and currently the game’s best player, to be more out-spoken and take more of a leading role in the European Team room.

Jose Maria Olazabal expecting Rory McIlroy to take more of a leadership role at Medinah. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)

And both the current European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal and immediate past captain, Colin Montgomerie concur.

“Rory and everyone in the team have to be leaders in a way because at the end of the day they have to deliver,” said Olazabal at this week’s centenary KLM Open.

“But then I will be relying on the big guns in the team and Rory is now one of the big guns.

“And Rory has been playing really well and his win in Boston is what you sort of expect from him now.

“You expect that kind of discipline from the No. 1 player in the world and it was nice to see him win in Boston.”

Monty was so confident of McIlroy he threw him into the deep end on the very first morning and he then played in all but one of five sessions.

“It was difficult in Wales to look upon Rory as a rookie, which he was, given at the time he was No. 3 in the world,” said Monty.

“Very rarely does that happen in the Ryder Cup team that you have a player so high up the rankings and competing in a Ryder Cup for a first time.

“So I would expect him to step up to the plate now.

“Two years ago Rory didn’t know what to expect of the Ryder Cup but he knows what it’s all about now and I’m confident he will step up to the plate along with some more senior members of the team, the Donald’s, Westwood’s, McDowell and Poulter.

“So that when Rory says something in the team room at Medinah it will mean more now because he’s actually been there.

“And now he’s No. 1 in the world, and with two Major victories under his belt he should be saying things.”