After tough playoff run, McIlroy glad to come home to prepare for Wales

Rory McIlroy’s latest stint in America took its toll on him, he says, and he needed to get back to Europe. The 21-year-old Northern Irish star makes his Ryder Cup debut at Celtic Manor next week and, having finished third in the last two majors, is seen as a key man in Colin Montgomerie's plans. "I was not my normal self in America the last couple of weeks," said McIlroy, who might well lead things off for Europe alongside his compatriot and close friend Graeme McDowell. "I needed to refresh my mind and I definitely feel I will be going into the Ryder Cup in a better frame." It was McIlroy's original hope that he would be playing this week in the PGA Tour’s final leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. But after finishes of 56th, 37th and 37th in the first three events of the series, he failed to be among the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship, and now views that as a blessing in disguise. "I'm definitely going to look at my schedule,” said the world No. 8, who has played six of the previous seven weeks. "I've been talking to Chubby (manager Andrew Chandler) about it this morning and we're going to look at where I went wrong, then set a better schedule. "It's been great having the last week at home. That's when I get my best work done and I'm very happy with how it all went,” he explained. "Now I'm concentrating on getting my game in the best shape possible. If I can do that it's half the battle. "Obviously it's my first experience (of a Ryder Cup) and one I'm going to try to enjoy. Hopefully the adrenaline will make me play well,” he said. "I'm going to be very nervous over my first tee shot, but once you get that out of the way all you are thinking about is winning your match." McIlroy's enthusiasm for the match was called into question when he described it as "an exhibition" last year. But, he stressed, he is still "up for the Cup." Winner of 4 points out of 5 for Britain and Ireland against Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy last September, he said: "I sort of forgot how good it was. We won and it was great to share the win with 11 other guys. 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." Three of his victories at the Vivendi Trophy came with McDowell as his partner and all of them were achieved going out first. Asked about the likelihood of them being put together again, he added: "I'm not sure. I will have a better sense when we get there (on Monday). It worked well last year and I'd like to, but whatever Monty thinks I don't mind. I'm very close to 'GMac' and I think we would both love to partner each other. Hopefully we'll get a couple (of games) and try to make the most of it." McIlroy is one of six rookies, the most Europe has had since 1999, but he points out that there is still a lot of experience on the team. "Then you have the vice-captains (Sergio Garcia, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn) and obviously Monty. It's great to have people like that in and around the team,” he said. "They will have a big role to play. I don't know how I am going to be in the team room, but I will definitely be listening to those guys. Martin Kaymer is a rookie in the Ryder Cup, but a major champion. It's not like it's my first experience of a big event. I think we will be fine."