Rory McIlroy makes retirement admission as Ryder Cup star copies American legend

Rory McIlroy has taken inspiration from Michael Jordan as he seeks the chance to live another memorable moment by winning an away Ryder Cup. And the Masters champion reckons his European team have a "wonderful opportunity" to make history on Long Island next weekend.

The Ulsterman made pressure putts in play-offs to complete his career Grand Slam in Augusta and then claim the Amgen Irish Open earlier this month. Both wins were sheer sporting drama. And before his eighth Ryder Cup, the world No.2 said he wants the opportunity to nail another "big putt" to seal a famous victory at Bethpage Black.

"Michael Jordan said the reason he succeeded so often was that he failed so many times - but he kept wanting to be in that position to try," said McIlroy.

"He could never make every shot, and I know I'm not going to make every big putt. I never will. I've put myself in position maybe 15 times in my career where I have had a putt to win or tie for a play-off and I have holed a couple of them.

"But if you keep putting yourself in those situations, sooner or later one of those big putts is going to drop. I'd love it if the next time it works out that way is at the Ryder Cup. In what I'd say is the final third of my career, I live for those moments more and more. I know my time in golf is limited. I have a few years left. These are the things that really excite me."

McIlroy lived a nightmare in the last away Ryder Cup in 2021 when he was struggling with his game after dropping out of the world's top 15. He suffered two heavy opening day losses and was benched on Saturday and cried after Europe's record 19-9 defeat.

This time the world No.2 arrives at Bethpage Black as a Major champion and pleased with his game after finishing the BMW PGA last weekend with a 35-foot eagle putt.

"2021 wasn't a great year," McIlroy recalled. I felt a little bit lost with my golf game going into Whistling Straits. I didn't play well at all there. It was the first Ryder Cup I was ever dropped for a session as well.

"I feel a lot different going into this Ryder Cup. Everyone after that 2021 Ryder Cup was talking about the decade of dominance for the Americans and how strong it was and we were in a little bit of transition. We were in a period of transition in 2021 and you look at where we are now, we had not even heard of Ludvig (Aberg) at that point, and Bob MacIntyre or the Højgaards had not come through.

"As a collective, I think we're a lot more confident going into this Ryder Cup than they were going into Whistling Straits. And you could make an argument that the 12 guys that we have going to New York are more accomplished golfers than they were two years ago when most of us were in Rome."

But the Miracle in Medinah - where McIlroy starred - is the only away Ryder Cup win since 2004 with eight of the last nine won by the home team. He revealed at Wentworth that European players had been given virtual reality headsets to replicate the potential crowd abuse next week.

"History would tell you it's very difficult," McIlroy admitted. "There's a reason that in the last decade, each Ryder Cup has gone to the home team.

"We know how difficult it's going to be. We are under no illusion. You're also trying to get past the crowd. But I think it's a wonderful opportunity."