Europe's star-man Rory McIlroy says that winning next week's Ryder Cup would be "the icing on the cake" of a brilliant year.
McIlroy will head to Scotland's Gleneagles course for Europe's defence of the biennial team clash with the United States as the world's number one-ranked golfer and having won four tournaments in the last five months, including two majors - the British Open and the US PGA.
Now the 25-year-old is going in search of his third Ryder Cup success, having helped Europe triumph in both 2010 and 2012.
"Personally for me it would just be the icing on the cake of what's already a fantastic year," McIlroy told Sky Sports on Sunday.
"It feels like everyone involved is just so passionate about it, and even the public get so much more passionate about it than the majors or individual tournaments.
"So it's great to be a part of; I've been a part of two winning European teams and obviously would love to make that a third this week."
But whereas he was once the promising youngster, McIlroy is now a senior player in Europe captain Paul McGinley's team.
"I'm going have to be one of the leaders and be expected to lead by example, and that's a big responsibility, but one I want to try and handle and try and get a few points on the board early for the team," McIlroy said.
"It's way better to win as part of a team. The best experiences in my golf career have been the Ryder Cup and to be able to celebrate with all these guys. It's very special."
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