Rory McIlroy at the Ryder Cup: his tournament record and best quotes

Dave Tindall
19 September 2021

We look at the Northern Irishman’s past exploits in the event as he readies for the showdown at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

It's fair to conclude that Rory McIlroy's initial opinion of the Ryder Cup has changed somewhat.

McIlroy is famous for saying what he thinks at the time and a year ahead of his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010, his comments made a stir.

"The Ryder Cup is a great spectacle but an exhibition at the end of the day and it should be there to be enjoyed," said McIlroy.

"In the big scheme of things it's not that important to me."

Ouch. That didn't go down well at all.

But ahead of Celtic Manor his tune had changed dramatically.

"Next week is going to be fantastic. It's definitely not an exhibition, it's a great spectacle. I said exhibition last year when I was not focused on a team event."

When the tournament had finished, his mind was well and truly changed.

Heading into his sixth Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits next week, the four-time Major winner will be one of Padraig Harrington's key men.

Here we look back at Rory's five previous appearances in the event.

2010 Celtic Manor - WON 14.5-13.5

McIlroy's first experience of the event and a memorable one despite the terrible weather in Wales.

A change in format due to the delays meant no-one could feature in more than four matches but Rory played the maximum available.

He won one, lost one and halved two, including his singles with Stewart Cink to make a vital contribution, ending as the joint-third highest Euro points scorer.

McIlroy was partnered in an all-Irish double act with Graeme McDowell.

They halved their opening fourball with Cink and Matt Kuchar, lost to the same duo in the foursomes before Rory gained his first win with a 3&1 success over Zach Johnson and Hunter Mahan

Record: P4 W1 L1 H2

Quotes: "To win this, to regain The Ryder Cup and bring it back to European soil, to do it for European golf and for Seve and for everyone involved; it's been the best week of my life."

2012 Medinah - WON 14.5-13.5

Europe retained the trophy in dramatic fashion and McIlroy played a big part in what was to become known as the 'Miracle at Medinah'.

Now a two-time Major winner, he teamed up again with McDowell to win an opening foursomes against Jim Furyk and Brandt Snedeker but the Irish pair lost 2&1 to an inspired Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson in the afternoon fourballs.

The McIlroy/McDowell combo lost a tense Saturday morning foursomes to Furyk and Snedeker as Europe fell 8-4 down and it was 10-4 halfway through the afternoon fourballs.

Then came one of the most remarkable finishes in history.

Playing alongside Ian Poulter in a must-win match against Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson, McIlroy's birdie putt won the 13th but he then handed the stage to Poulter who sensationally birdied the final five holes to pull off an incredible victory.

Still 10-6 down going into the singles, there was further drama involving McIlroy as he almost missed his tee-time after a mix up setting his morning alarm.

Rory had to be given a police escort to make it through the traffic but, cool as you like, brushed off his lack of a warm-up and beat Bradley 2&1 in the singles.

That formed part of an astonishing final-day comeback as Europe lifted the trophy again with a 14.5-13.5 scoreline.

Record: P5 W3 L2 H0

Quotes: "I was just casually walking out of my hotel room and got a phone call saying you've got 25 minutes until you tee off. I've never been so worried driving to the golf course before. Luckily there was a state trooper outside who kind of gave me the escort to here, and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have got here in time.

"It is the most special and unique golf tournament we have, period. There's nothing better than celebrating a win with your teammates. We don't get to do it very often, and you know, when we do, it's just so nice to have these guys around and to celebrate it with them."

2014 Gleneagles - WON 16.5-11.5

After the high drama of Medinah, this was a more routine win for Europe as they pulled away to win by five points.

For the second Ryder Cup running, McIlroy scored three points from five matches although this time he lost just once.

Rory, who had won two more Majors earlier in the summer, was given a new partner in Scotland as Paul McGinley paired him alongside Sergio Garcia for three of his first four matches.

It started slowly but got better.

On day one, McIlroy and Garcia lost 1 down to Bradley and Mickelson in the fourballs before halving the afternoon foursomes with Jimmy Walker and Rickie Fowler.

Rory halved again against the same duo in the Saturday morning fourballs although this time in partnership with Poulter before the McIlroy/Garcia combo finally got their win when beating Furyk and Mahan 3&2 in the afternoon foursomes to give Europe a 10-6 lead.

McIlroy was sent out third in the Sunday singles and crushed Fowler 5&4.

Record: P5 W2 L1 H2

Quotes: "I played my best golf of the week (v Fowler in the singles). I mean, I started so well, 6-under through six holes. That built a comfortable lead that I was able to hang on to.

"All week has just been a pleasure to play in front of unbelievable crowds and fans. We don't get to experience it too often. It's one every four years, a home Ryder Cup for us. It's been an amazing experience."

2016 Hazeltine - LOST 17-11

After enjoying victory at his first three Ryder Cups, McIlroy finally ended up on the losing side as Europe were crushed by a six-point margin at Hazeltine.

Yet again, Rory played his part by winning three points in five matches to end as Europe's second highest scorer but it wasn't enough.

McIlroy, paired with rookie Andy Sullivan, lost his opener as the USA swept the morning foursomes 4-0 but then formed a dynamic duo with another first-timer, Belgian's Thomas Pieters.

McIlroy and Pieters beat Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar in Friday's fourballs and then took down Fowler and Mickelson 4&2 (foursomes) and Brooks Koepka and DJ 3&1 (fourballs) the following day.

Despite their heroics, Europe trailed 9.5-6.5 going into Sunday's singles.

McIlroy was drawn against the feisty Patrick Reed in the opening match and it turned into one the Ryder Cup's classic contests.

Neither man would given an inch in a ferocious battle before Reed eventually secured victory at the last to pave the way for a convincing US win.

Record: P5 W3 L2 H0

Quotes: "Fair play to Patrick. He was awesome all day and deserved the win. Overall this week, the United States deserves the victory so congratulations to them.

"Obviously we're disappointed to lose but at the same time I think it keeps The Ryder Cup very interesting and gives it a great narrative going into Paris in two years' time."

2018 Le Golf National - WON 17.5-10.5

After experiencing defeat at Hazeltine, McIlroy made it four wins in his five Ryder Cups as Europe produced a dominant display in Paris.

McIlroy lost his final two matches to finish with an overall losing record for the week but his victories on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning helped Europe establish an 8-4 lead.

His week started with a heavy 4&2 fourballs defeat alongside debutant Thorbjorn Olesen as they were brushed aside by Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

But Rory enjoyed better fortunes with two more familiar partners. Alongside Poulter, the Euros blasted Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson 4&2 in Friday's foursomes and McIlroy and Garcia took out Koepka and Tony Finau 2&1 in Saturday morning's fourballs.

The McIlroy/Poulter partnership misfired in a 4&2 defeat to Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth in the afternoon foursomes and Thomas took Rory's scalp in the Sunday singles, winning 1up.

Record: P5 W2 L3 H0

Quotes: "It's incredible. We took a really tough loss at Hazeltine a couple of years ago and that stung. That was my first experience of what it feels like to be on the other side, so coming in here, obviously none of us want to feel like that again a Sunday afternoon.

"We've had this WhatsApp group going for a few weeks now, and it's been a bit of a love-in for the last week, I'll tell you that. It's been fantastic to be a part of and one of the great things about Ryder Cups is you forge friendships that last a lifetime. I think a few of those friendships have been forged this week."