Rory’s moment in time

It will take quite a while for Rory McIlroy to live down the fact he nearly scuppered Europe’s Ryder Cup victory bid before it had even begun.

The world number one was all smiles on Sunday night, having contributed a vital point to an amazing victory at Medinah Country Club by taking down the USA’s hottest player, in Keegan Bradley.

Yet, as well as his share of the plaudits, McIlroy was also presented with a giant alarm clock by his captain, José Maria Olazabal, to remind him of the mad dash he had to take just to make his tee-time.