Exhausted Rory McIlroy turns focus to Paris in 2018

Rory McIlroy left Hazeltine exhausted on Sunday after the most emotionally draining week of his career but in positive mood for the end of the season and a Ryder Cup renewal in Paris in 2018.

Having emerged as Europe’s team leader he believes America’s 17-11 victory at the weekend has kept the contest “very interesting” after three straight American defeats and he is relishing a chance for revenge on home soil.

And despite losing his singles showdown with Patrick Reed — when he admitted he ran out of steam after a supercharged two and a half days in front of massive and fervent US crowds — McIlroy is hoping to continue his excellent form into the rest of his 2016 campaign as he aims to complete a FedEx Cup-Race To Dubai double at next month’s DP World Tour Championship.