'Idea is to keep it pretty high' - Rory McIlroy feels making fairways tough to hit will help Team Europe at Ryder Cup

Rory McIlroy feels making landing areas from 150 yards in hard to find would help Team Europe at next year’s Ryder Cup. McIlroy got his first taste of the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club at the Italian Open this week. Ad It appears to be a course that suits the world No.

2’s eye, as he secured the lead after two rounds in Rome. DS Automobiles Italian OpenMcIlroy hits epic shot where divot goes as far as ball, charges up leaderboard21 HOURS AGO The rough at the Italian venue is extremely penal, and McIlroy feels that is its main defence. Many venues the United States players tackle on the PGA Tour are often second-shot courses, and McIlroy feels the Americans are extremely strong from inside 150 yards.

With that in mind, McIlroy believes captain Luke Donald’s conversations with course officials should be with regard to making it as difficult as possible to find the fairways in those landing zones. McIlroy says 'it is pretty cool' to eclipse Tiger and win third FedExp Cup title Ryder Cup captain Donald hits wrong ball at Italian Open When asked what the course’s main defence is, McIlroy replied: “The rough. If you get it going offline here off the tee, it is very difficult.

The rough is incredibly thick and there is a sort of jungle outside of that if you get it way, way offline. “Keeping it in the fairway is key.” As home captain, Donald has licence to set the course up to suit his players, and McIlroy believes the key is making the opposition go for greens with long irons in hand. “I think, stats-wise, you look at the American team and they are very good from 150 (yards) in,” McIlroy said.