It will be one of the most bizarre souvenirs of the 2012 Ryder Cup – the Police squad car that rushed Rory McIlroy to his all-important Sunday Singles match against American rival Keegan Bradley.

Rory McIlroy with the Lomard police officer who helped get him to the Ryder Cup just in time.

Last month, Lombard deputy police chief Patrick Rollins drove McIlroy in an unmarked 2005 Ford Crown Victoria from the Westin Hotel in Lombard to Medinah Country Club, a 20-minute commute without traffic, in 30 minutes.

McIlroy blamed his near disqualification on getting the time zone on his mobile phone alarm but then girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki later remarked it was her fault at the pair were busily ‘tweeting’.

Rollins squad car has clocked-up 81,000 miles and is due for replacement.

But it was not all plain sailing in the sleepy Illinois town as a squabble began questioning whether Rollins should be allowed to drive his squad car back and forward from his residence lying outside the town limits.

Common sense prevailed with the local town council backing down to allow Rollins to pay for a minimal reimbursement to drive his police car to and from the office.

If McIlroy should ever again need a ride in Rollins car, the officer’s new car will be a $17,118 Ford Fusion hybrid.

One believes the car that helped McIlroy get to the golf on time will go under the hammer for double that amount.