Rory McIlroy: US are ‘trying too hard’ to win back Ryder cup

Rory McIlroy has suggested the US could be trying too hard to win back the Ryder Cup this week, preferring Europe’s natural recipe for success to the Americans’ taskforce-driven search for the formula.

With the Ryder Cup teeing off on Friday at Hazeltine National, world number three McIlroy’s confidence is soaring following his second victory in three starts last Sunday, when his Tour Championship win also netted the Irishman a $10m (€8.9m) bonus as FedEx Cup winner.

Europe are hoping the feelgood factor can carry over into the Ryder Cup against a US team rated by captain Davis Love as possibly the best ever assembled, yet desperate to regain the trophy for the first time since 2008.