McIlroy ready to play the leading role

Rory McIlroy will stride into the Ryder Cup arena a changed man from his last appearance for Europe two years ago.

Older, clearly, and one would hope more punctual than he proved on that Sunday in Chicago, but also wiser, comfortable with his status as the world No 1 after a season of four individual tournament victories, including the British Open and PGA Championships.

That comfort, perhaps lacking the last time he donned the mantle of the world’s best, means he is ready to bear the burden of leadership and embrace the situation that finds him with a target on his back and the Americans taking aim.