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\u201cI love being a part of this team. My most enjoyable moments in my career have come being a part of European Ryder Cup teams. I’m still probably proudest of the things I’ve done as an individual but nothing – nothing – beats this week. It’s an amazing experience and I want to be a part of it for as long as I can.\u201d<\/p>\n
That disparaging \u2018exhibition\u2019 comment he made about the Ryder Cup 14 years ago is well and truly ancient history. He is about to set out on his seventh Ryder Cup mission. With the LIV contingent gone, he is the most experienced member of the team and at No 2 in the world, Europe\u2019s highest-ranked player.<\/p>\n
McIlroy will be pivotal to Europe\u2019s chances and a leader on the course undoubtedly but as a team-mate he does not want to be up a pedestal. He added: \u201cWhen we came on the practice trip I said to every guy: \u2018I’m older than people and I have more experience and some of you guys have watched me play on TV but I don’t want anyone looking up to me.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to see me like I’m on their level. There’s no hierarchy on our team. We are all one part of a 12-man team and we all go forward together. I guess that’s the one message I’ve tried to relay to some of the younger guys on the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
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DON’T MISS… <\/strong> Last time out, it all ended in tears for McIlroy as he wept in frustration on the Sunday having finally picked up his first win of the week with a singles victory over Xander Schauffele. It was too little too late for McIlroy and Europe as they crashed to a record defeat.<\/p>\n Back then he was searching for his A-game; now, with 12 top 10 finishes, including two wins in his 20 tournaments this year, he has it on speed dial.<\/p>\n \u201cI certainly feel a lot better about things coming into this Ryder Cup and feel like I’m more than capable of contributing more than one point this time around,\u201d he said. \u201cI couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the team and to have those other 11 guys be my team-mates.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Tyrrell Hatton tells Ryder Cup journalists to ‘f*** off’ in funny exchange[FUNNY] <\/strong>
Ryder Cup star tells media room ‘I’m done’ after first press conference question[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/71\/590x\/secondary\/4981232.jpg?r=1695817149558\")
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