Nailing Ryder Cup spot was McIlroy’s motivation

BIRTHDAY boy Rory McIlroy, still “floating” after his US Tour victory on Sunday, revealed yesterday part of the motivation for his spectacular return to form came from looking at the Ryder Cup table.

On the day he turned 21 McIlroy, now in Florida for The Players Championship starting tomorrow, said: “I was just beginning to think I really need to get the finger out here not to have any late worries.”

Now a near-certainty for a debut at Celtic Manor in October – he is second in the standings behind Lee Westwood – the Irishman decided to put victory and birthday celebrations on ice.