European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal is hoping red hot World No. 1 Rory McIlroy hasn’t peaked too early.

The FedEx Cup series has the week off before next week’s curtain-closing Tour Championship in Atlanta and with McIlroy already having parcelled up two of the three events.

And while he’s also won three of his last four events since his Ocean Course winning cruise at Kiawah Island, Olazabal sounded a warning bell ahead of next fortnight’s Medinah showdown.

“I just hope that Rory is not too hot too early,” said Olazabal smiling.

“I just hope also he can save a bunch of birdies for the end of the month.”

Olazabal was speaking after birding the last in a round of 71 on day one of the BMW Italian Open.

Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm, again decked out in his Plus Fours, posted an eight under par 64 under a ‘preferred lie’ rule to lead by a shot from England’s Lee Slattery on the Royal Park course.