02 October 2023 , 18:03
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"I just can't wait to get another shot at this." Those were the words of a heartbroken Rory McIlroy following Europe's record-breaking Ryder Cup defeat to the Americans back in 2021.
Two years later McIlroy did get his redemption shot on the Ryder Cup stage and took advantage after helping his team reclaim the title in Rome on Sunday. It completed a remarkable turnaround for the Europeans, who just 24 months earlier were backed to be on a period of American dominance.
Those three days in Wisconsin back in 2021 were arguably the darkest in European golf, as Padraig Harrington's dejected team were brushed aside by a fit and firing American setup, who were expected to only get better.
Heading to Whistling Straits the Europeans would have been more than aware of the uphill battle they faced, and were counting on their biggest names to turn up in a bid to compete with their primed rivals. One of those names was McIlroy, but it proved to be a week to forget for the Northern Irishman.
Having lost his opening two matches on the opening day in Wisconsin, McIlroy was dropped from a session for the first time in his Ryder Cup career on the Saturday. But even after a rest away from the course, he would go on to lose a third match on the bounce alongside Ian Poulter that afternoon. Heading into the Sunday singles Europe's fate was all but confirmed at 11-5 down.
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The man tasked with leading the away team out ahead of the USA's soon-to-be-confirmed coronation? McIlroy. After two days of struggles, the former world No. 1 finally secured his first contribution of the week, defeating Xander Schauffele 3&2 in the singles opener. Whilst it it would have been a relief to finally get a point in the win column, the damage was already done for McIlroy.
After his match the Northern Irishman broke down in tears in an emotional interview, telling Sky Sports: "I love my team-mates and I should have done more for them this week." McIlroy's guilt of letting down his teammates was laid bare, in what most likely would have been the lowest moment of his stellar career.
Unsurprisingly the return of the Ryder Cup could not have quick enough for the 34-year-old, who was itching to re-write his wrongs from Wisconsin on home soil. And this chance finally came last week, as a rejuvenated McIlroy headlined a new-look European Ryder Cup team who were champing at the bit to get their revenge in Rome.
After a blistering start on days one and two, Luke Donald's team finally completed their remarkable two-year turnaround, something that appeared near-impossible back in 2021. This time around McIlroy did lead from the front, winning four out of five points - the most of any of the 24 players - to accomplish a Roman redemption of his own.
His week of vindication did not come without controversy after he was involved in a heated exchange with two of Team USA's caddies, Jim Mackay and Joe LaCava, over the latter's conduct during a tense finish to Saturday evening match with Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark. This only fuelled the already roaring fire within McIlroy though, who importantly got his team on the board early on Sunday with victory over Sam Burns.
Rory McIlroy scored more points than any other Ryder Cup player in Rome (Getty Images)Once again McIlroy was put in front of the Sky cameras on the back of his singles win, and like Whistling Straits two years ago he was reduced to tears. This time around though it was for all the right reasons as he moved his team one step closer to getting their hands on the Ryder Cup.
"Ever since Whistling Straits, I was so disappointed with my performance there," he said green-side. "To come here and get four points for the team, it means a lot to me and hopefully we can just get it done." Just over an hour later his teammates did exactly that, with his trusty foursomes partner Tommy Fleetwood delivering the all-important winning point for Donald's team against Rickie Fowler at the 16th.
McIlroy and Team Europe's Ryder Cup redemption was complete, but ever the winner the four-time major champion's mindset had already moved to doing the same thing on American soil in two years' time. To the delight of his teammates, the 32-year-old signed off from Marco Simone by warning with a simple message: "I think one of the biggest accomplishments in golf right now is winning an away Ryder Cup. And that's what we're going to do at Bethpage." Team USA, you have been warned.