McIlroy says he wants to leave legacy in Ryder Cup rallying call

FARMINGDALE, New York :As the most experienced player at this year's Ryder Cup, Rory McIlroy has taken on the leadership mantle for Europe and the Northern Irishman issued a rallying call on Thursday, saying the holders were playing for history at Bethpage Black.

He completed his long-sought career Grand Slam at Augusta this year and will chase an away victory on Long Island with the same ferocity as he fought for the green jacket in his eighth trip to the biennial golf spectacle.

"We are playing for history and we're playing for the players that came before us," said McIlroy, who has been to the Ryder Cup more than any player on either team.

"We are also playing for the guys that are going to come behind us, as well, the young boys that are dreaming of becoming European Ryder Cup players. We want to try to leave a legacy for them."

That poetic passion is a far cry from his first encounter with one of golf's most treasured traditions, which he dismissively called an "exhibition" event before his 2010 debut.

The then-21-year-old got a wakeup call as he stepped into the team room at Celtic Manor.

"I just saw how much it meant to everyone," he said. "I was like, 'Maybe I got this wrong'."

McIlroy was the youngest member of the European team when they pulled off the "Miracle at Medinah" in 2012, when they became the last away team to win the Ryder Cup, deepening his passion.

"Winning another away Ryder Cup, just considering how hard that has been over the past 12 years, it would be one of the greatest accomplishments of my career for sure," he said.

That passion has resonated for the rest of Team Europe, which is virtually identical to the 2023 group, save for rookie Rasmus Hojgaard.

"He's a leader. He's potentially the greatest