Ryder Cup 2014: Rory McIlroy Says European Team Shouldn’t Be ‘Complacent’ Despite Winning Five Of The Last Six Tournaments
Rory McIlroy has said in an interview that the European Team at the 2014 Ryder Cup should never get too complacent even if their team has won in five out of the last six tournaments because a loss is always lurking around the corner. McIlroy thinks the European team should keep an eye on Rickie Fowler because the American could just be Team USA's lucky charm to win another Ryder Cup trophy.
During an appearance on Goals, which is a British television show on Sky Sports, on Sunday McIlroy admitted that they should watch out for Bubba Watson, Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, and especially Fowler. According to Rory, Fowler could just be a "real talisman" for the American Team. Rory added that they should not feel too self-righteous and contented because the U.S. has successfully assembled a strong team.
"Everyone's been talking about Europe being favourites, but the Americans have still got a strong team," Rory said. "We can't be complacent at all."
Rory has played in the Ryder Cup in the last two years, and they have won in those two tournaments. He said he would love to win another Ryder Cup trophy because it would be another great achievement to his already good season. Rory has won two major championships in 2014 including the 2014 The Open Championship and the 2014 PGA Championship.
Rory has already devised a plan to ensure that the European team will clinch another victory in 2014. He said he will be one of the leaders that will set an example to others. He said he would like to be able to score points for the team early on the game. For Rory, winning with the team at the Ryder Cup has been one of the best experiences he had in his golf career.
Meanwhile, American team captain Tom Watson was told to look after Rory at the Ryder Cup. According to the Irish Independent newspaper, the only captain from Team USA to have won a Ryder Cup trophy Paul Azinger has been sharing some tips to Watson. Apparently, it has come to Azinger's knowledge that Rory has expressed his interest to play first for the European team. Azinger reckons that it will not happen, but he insists that Watson should still watch Rory carefully.
"If their show-pony, if their guy who finishes top four every week goes down the first morning, then I think you can wrest the momentum of this match," Azinger said.
The 2014 Ryder Cup begins on Sept. 23.