Europe’s away win at the Ryder Cup this year was a team effort. And the marquee golfers didn’t disappoint either, with Rory McIlroy contributing 3.5 crucial points to the team. However, his performance at Bethpage was far from luck. In a recent video shared by the European Team Performance Institute, McIlroy is seen preparing for the hostile away grounds just two hours before his tee time.

While the high from the Ryder Cup is fading, McIlroy’s brutal 5 am training session has sparked attention from the entire golfing community. The video detailed the European star’s rigorous plyometric workout, including box jumps and medicine ball throws. Combining upper-body and lower-body explosive movements, McIlroy prepared for the arduous demands of his powerful shot. These sudden, explosive movements help build strength and power off the tee for the long-distance drives.

Designed to activate his nervous system and optimize his performance, McIlroy’s plyometric sessions are the key reason behind his explosive power. In fact, with an average ball speed of 184.94 mph, McIlroy is the 7th fastest swinger on the Tour. That vigor translates to greater distances off the tee, ranking 2nd in the Tour with an average driving distance of 323.0 yards. The Ryder Cup star’s longest drive came during the TGL season, at 342 yards, standing as a testament to his religious plyo sessions.

Rory McIlroy showcased the same level of finesse and power at the Ryder Cup, too. With 3 wins, 1 tie, and 1 loss, McIlroy’s performance was a masterclass in drives. The European talisman won both of his foursome sessions paired with Tommy Fleetwood. However, one of the defining shots of the tournament came through on the Saturday foursomes match.

After jeering comments and abusive remarks from the crowd triggered McIlroy to drop the F-word, the Ryder Cup star quickly followed with an approach to 3 feet on the 16th, making way for Fleetwood’s winning putt. That massive drive stood as a testament to his early morning training session.

Subsequently, McIlroy carried that momentum well into his four-ball sessions, too. Partnered with Shane Lowry, the duo halved one of their matches while securing a 2&1 win on the other, despite the booing crowds. Although McIlroy continued his fiery run on Sunday, too, he narrowly lost his singles match against America’s Scottie Scheffler.

Through it all, McIlroy’s commitment and dedication to his team come through. From early morning practice sessions to physically challenging plyometric workouts, the European star didn’t take Bethpage lightly. And that hard work paid off, with a decisive 15-13 win for the European Team. However, his performance showcased not only his talent and gruelling preps but also his poised mindset and calm demeanor.

Rory McIlroy keeps his head cool amid raging US crowds

The Ryder Cup got heated, especially on Saturday, creating hostile conditions for Team Europe. The US crowd bombarded the racks with insults and expletive comments towards the challenging team. However, most of the remarks and slurs were directed toward Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll. From stirring rumors over McIlroy’s personal life to throwing beer at Erica, Bethpage was far from hospitable for the Ryder Cup star.

In contrast, the European star maintained a calm demeanor, translating external pressure into crucial points. Sarcastically, McIlroy blew kisses at his verbal abusers, underscoring his mental strength and lighthearted personality. Even when things got unbearable by the 15th hole of the day, McIlroy handled the situation with maturity, refusing to resume play until conditions improved. That attracted praise from Italian football icon Gianfranco Zola, who got a front row seat at the drama.

“He was fantastic, he responded like a gentleman and a champion, as did Shane Lowry, who was playing with him,” shared Zola.

Later, McIlroy himself acknowledged the abuse he faced during his game. He understood the comments were a part of the many challenges of an away Ryder Cup. However, McIlroy emphasized staying within the boundaries. “I don’t mind them having a go at us. Like that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is. Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing,” McIlroy remarked.

Ultimately, Rory McIlroy’s poise and emotional maturity, coupled with his commitment to the team, position him as one of the cornerstones of European golf.