McIlroy wants to lead by example

Rory McIlroy wants to lead by example at the upcoming Ryder Cup and is hoping he can prove a leader on the golf course as well as off it.

There was never any doubt that McIlroy would be part of the European Ryder Cup team but his victory in the USPGA Championship ensured he would qualify in top position.

All eyes will be on the world number one as Europe look to defend the Samuel Ryder Trophy at Medinah later this year and after an impressive debut performance at Celtic Manor in 2010, the Northern Ireland golfer knows he will have to take on a bigger role in Jose Maria Olazabal’s team.

“I think there will be an expectation on me to be one of the leaders. It’s strange to say because there are so many guys in the team who have done so much in their careers, but being No. 1 in the world and with what I’ve done these last couple of years, I am expecting to go in with more of a leadership role,” McIlroy told The Times.

“My voice being heard in the team room, making suggestions, being confident to say, ‘Listen guys, here’s what I think we should do’.

“I was a rookie last time and I sat quietly waiting for everybody else to say something. I hope to lead by example, maybe go out in the first game of the day, set the tone.”

The singles pairings will not be known until both captain’s select which order they want to send their players out on the final day of competition, but the prospect of a Sunday showdown between McIlroy and Tiger Woods is one that excites the world number one.

While it is not possible to know where Davis Love III will send Woods out, McIlroy would love nothing more than to take on the 14-time major winner.

“It would be great fun to be part of. The atmosphere would be absolutely incredible. I might say to Tiger, ‘I’ll have a word with Jose, you have a word with Davis – and I’ll see you on the first tee’,” he quipped.