The 2025 Ryder Cup begins on Thursday and Rory McIlroy will hope to inspire Team Europe to an incredible victory on U.S soil.
The best of Europe are in New York for the biennial event at Bethpage as they look to retain the title they won in Rome two years ago.
It is a very similar selection from captain Luke Donald, who leads the charge again, with Rasmus Hojgaard replacing brother Nicolai in the 12-man team.
Europe’s remarkable 16.5 to 11.5 win over Team USA will give them confidence but they have not tasted victory Stateside since 2012.
McIlroy, who won The Masters to complete a long-awaited career Grand Slam earlier this season, is sure to be under pressure in a typically partisan atmosphere.
He has not shied away from the typically brash Team USA supporters, having an altercation with one fan back in 2016 and engaging with them throughout his classic match vs Patrick Reed that same event.
Rory McIlroy predicts heated moment at Ryder Cup
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Things were heated in 2023 too when McIlroy took umbrage with Patrick Cantlay’s caddy, Joe LaCava, whose over-the-top celebrations occured on the 18th green on the Thursday.
LaCava appeared to antagonise McIlroy before he then missed a key putt following Cantlay’s successful stroke.
The European team have already taken measures to prepare for the atmosphere, with VR headsets being used to simulate the abuse they may face from the stands.
McIlroy has predicted that ‘something’ heated is going to happen during the competition.
“I think it’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York,” McIlroy told Ewan Murray in an interview with The Guardian.
It might not involve me but it is inevitable that something will happen, whether like in Rome last time or something else.
“I just think when you go into that environment and you are there for five or six days and the crowd are on you for eight hours, so many days in a row… it is inevitable it will get to someone or get to us as a group at some point.
“We are just going to have to do a really good job of managing that, having each other’s backs and protecting each other.”
McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Jon Rahm to name a few are emotional characters and will be sure to make their feelings known if called upon.
Europe did thrive however in an emotional win in 2023, so the external factors could prove benficial in their quest to make history.
SEE ALSO: Padraig Harrington Reveals Ropey Rory McIlroy Fan Altercation At 2016 Ryder Cup
