“In the big scheme of things, it’s not that important to me.” That’s what the rookie Rory McIlroy had to say in 2009 about the Ryder Cup before his debut at the biennial event in 2010. But things have changed now. His experience playing on the European team over eight Ryder Cups and scoring 18 points has changed his views about the event.

This is something Graeme McDowell, a LIV Golf pro, has seen very closely. A three-time Ryder Cup winner himself, McDowell was like a mentor to the World No.2 when he debuted in the 2010 Ryder Cup. He was asked about the deep transformation Rory has undergone as a Ryder Cup player over the decade. And according to him, it’s a complete U-turn.

The 46-year-old LIV Golf player reflected on his dismissive attitude before he debuted in the biennial event. “I remember 2010; Rory had been quoted as saying that the Ryder Cup was nothing. It was just an exhibition match,” said McDowell in a conversation with 5 Clubs.

In May 2009, McIlroy said, “The Ryder Cup is a great spectacle but an exhibition at the end of the day, and it should be there to be enjoyed. In the big scheme of things, it’s not that important to me.” This was the time when the 5-time major winner had pretty much no experience playing in team events. Then he got the chance to play as a team in the 2009 Vivendi Trophy, and the joy of celebrating a victory with other golfers made him understand the importance of the competition. “Next week is going to be fantastic. It’s definitely not an exhibition, it’s a great spectacle. I said exhibition last year when I was not focused on a team event,” said Rory in September 2010, just before the 2010 Ryder Cup.

McDowell, 46, says that his viewpoint and attitude have shifted significantly since then. When he joined the team for the Ryder Cup 2010, Graeme and the other team members could feel Rory was the next superstar. They even made sure the young prodigy felt at ease.

“I think we wore Rory wigs one day on the first tee in the practice round. Yeah. Roses on the first tee, just really to try and take the spotlight away from any of the negativity that was surrounding him because we knew that he was the leader to-be of team Europe for the future,” McDowell said.

What the 2010 team felt back then is what Rory has become now. His skills and the experience he gained from playing all the Ryder Cups from 2010 until now have turned him to a leader for the current European team.

“He has morphed into an incredible talisman for the European team,” is what the three-time Ryder Cup winner had to say about his fellow countrymen. And there’s no denying the statement McDowell made.

Although Rory lost to the World No.1 in singles on Sunday, September 28, 2025, he has amassed 18 points in his Ryder Cup career. With 16 points under his belt, he has played a huge role in helping the European team win many times. For instance, his career best of 4-1-0 in the 2023 Ryder Cup set the tone for the European team to achieve victory.

His central leadership role in the 2025 Ryder Cup was also important for his team to outperform the Americans in the team matches to help Europe get a strong lead ahead of the singles. He even made a record this year “the largest margin of victory in foursomes for an away pairing since 2004.” The McIlroy-Fleetwood duo won 5&4 against Collin Morikawa and Harris English.

Additionally, if you think Graeme might be fanboying about Rory, take the words of his teammates who were there with him in the trenches.

Moreover, it’s not only McDowell who thinks as such; others also echo the same

Team members’ perception of Rory McIlroy as a central figure

While Graeme McDowell shared his thoughts, many European team members have a similar perception about McIlroy.

Jon Rahm, for example, has played four Ryder Cups with McIlroy. And he believes that Rory’s role is to be a significant presence among all the golfers. Regardless of how he plays, his being in the dressing room alone is enough to motivate the team. “He was the biggest name we have in Europe. He’s the better player we have in Europe and he’s definitely the biggest presence. That’s his role now,” Rahm said.

Robert MacIntyre shares similar sentiments. For him, the World No.2 is a leader. “He’s a leader. He’s potentially the greatest European golfer of all time. I mean, these things speak for themselves,” Robert says about his senior European teammate.

Something similar comes from Matt Fitzzprick, someone who has not just shared locker rooms, but has also been his playing partner in 2023. Matt says that it’s not just him, but also his passion for the game. And it is obvious. When you have someone who is so passionate and driven towards the game, people around him are likely to feel motivated. “You’ve seen in the media over the last however many years how much the Ryder Cup means to him, particularly after what he first said about the Ryder Cup,” said Fitzpatrick.

From not caring about it to being an absolute pillar for his team at the Ryder Cup, McIlroy just had his own personal character arc this year, coupled with the fact that he also achieved his Grand Slam a few months back. Definitely a story that will be talked abut for ages.