Rory McIlroy learned what it meant to be on Europe's Ryder Cup squad watching teammates cry in a locker room as a 21-year-old rookie in 2010.

Now the five-time major champion from Northern Ireland, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters in April, is the talismanic leader of a veteran side ready to follow him into an emotional showdown against the United States at Bethpage Black.

"He's a leader. He's potentially the greatest European golfer of all time. I mean, these things speak for themselves," Scotland's Robert MacIntyre said.

"I've looked up to him since I was young, and I've got no problem walking behind Rory McIlroy if he's leading the charge. He's a guy that's special to the game of golf but very special to the European side."

World number two McIlroy, 36, has w

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