McIlroy steps up to the mark in style

When Europe needed him most, Rory McIlroy stepped up to the mark and delivered.

It might only have been half a point that the world number one and Sergio Garcia eked out against the odds in their match with Jimmy Walker and Rickie Flower yesterday evening but it signalled a huge shift in momentum for Paul McGinley’s side.

Just as importantly, after a morning loss on the final hole to Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley and a day of struggle with his new driver, the man with the target on his back finally deployed some body armour.