'Tee to green, I felt like I was good': Rory McIlroy feeling confident ahead of Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy's win at the Irish Open consolidated his grip at the top of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings

Following his victory at the Irish Open, Rory McIlroy heads to Wentworth for the BMW PGA Championship. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Rory McIlroy began his week at the Amgen Irish Open believing a win at The K Club would be nice but not necessary as he focused on gathering momentum in his game ahead of Europe’s Ryder Cup defence at Bethpage Black later this month.

The world number two left Kildare bound for Wentworth and this week’s BMW PGA Championship with expectations exceeded after collecting his fourth victory of the year on Sunday with his play-off win over Joakim Lagergren.

His success on home soil consolidated his grip at the top of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai rankings with second placed Marco Penge of England only managing a tie for 50th place and the Irishman could not feel happier with his game ahead of his eighth Ryder Cup appearance for Europe in New York in three weeks.

“I said a win going into the Ryder Cup I didn't think was necessary, but it would have been very nice and it probably would have validated the fact that my game was in good shape and I was happy with where everything is,” McIlroy said following his Irish Open victory.

“And my game is in good shape. Even if I hadn't won here this week, I would have walked away being pretty encouraged about where everything is. Tee to green, I felt like I was good, it was nice to be in the heat of battle and in contention and having to hit different shots under pressure, especially over those last few holes where there's a little bit of trouble here and there and you have to manage your game a little bit.

“I felt like I did most things well this week and I've got another week next week to just keep on trying to sharpen the tools and, not that I don't feel this way, but I've got another couple of weeks to feel 100% ready for whatever I'm going to face at Bethpage.” 

McIlroy’s closing out of his 45th professional victory was a picture of bulletproof confidence that augurs well for the rest of the year, not least in the coming weeks at both Wentworth and Bethpage Black.

“I think the more and more you get yourself in these positions, the more comfortable you are, and I'll always, you know, in a situation like we had on the back nine where there's three or four of us in with a chance, I'd always feel like I'd always back myself in those positions and be able to find a way to get it done.

“It doesn't always work out that way, but the more you get yourself in those positions, the more comfortable you feel, and I think the more experience you have, the more you figure out what is going to be enough to get the job done.

“I've played over 400 professional tournaments, and I'd like to think I've been in contention in at least 25% of them, if not more.

“I've had 100 goes at trying to win big golf tournaments, and I feel like I've got the experience to know what to do, when to press, and when to be conservative, and it's just finding that balance.”