In-form Rory McIlroy reckons he may well be having the best year of his career.
But, having landed a second Amgen Irish Open at The Klub, European golf fans will be hoping it’s not a bad omen for Luke Donald's troops at Bethpage.
McIlroy’s success in County Kildare came less than three weeks before he leads the fired-up group into battle against the United States in New York.
When he last one his national Open, it was also a Ryder Cup year across the Atlantic and, on that occasion, it turned sour.
McIlroy was part of Darren Clarke’s unit who headed to Hazeltine with hope, but were hammered 17-11 by Davis Love III’s inspired hosts.
Ironically, the Grand Slam hero grabbed three of the Euro points due his outstanding partnership with rookie Thomas Pieters through Friday