By Craig Swan

Copyright irishmirror

Rory McIlroy braved the pouring rain in Wales to make his mark on Ryder Cup history.

The ball veered right. There have been other moments of success, but also instances of failure.

Now, after a tumultuous journey through the Ryder Cup that has included police escorts, car park altercations, tears and celebrations, McIlroy is aiming make eight great.

It all started 15 years ago in Gwent, with this journalist sheltering from the rain with him on that perilous first morning at Celtic Manor. Alongside partner Graeme McDowell, he faced off against Matt Kuchar and Stewart Cink.

Just days before, his team-mates had donned curly wigs on the same tee, teasing his youthful hair and helping him feel at home as he adjusted to the backdrop of comments about the competition being merely an exhibition, reports the Daily Record.

In the seven ensuing clashes filled with chaos, drama and excitement, McIlroy has discovered that this is most certainly not the case.

It’s been a remarkable journey. There have been magical moments, and some painful ones.

The first taste was majestic as McDowell, who would become his partner for the first six foursomes and fourball matches of his career, clinched the winning moment to secure the trophy.

McIlroy’s first morning that wet Friday in Wales ended up in the rough, but by Monday morning, following a late finish, Colin Montgomerie’s men emerged victorious.

From there, it’s been one epic event after another. Perhaps none more so than the second outing: The Miracle at Medinah.

Despite being the greatest comeback in Ryder Cup history, it might surprise many that Europe actually clinched the first game, thanks to McIlroy and McDowell’s stellar performance.

However, the real drama unfolded on the Saturday afternoon when Ian Poulter, partnering with McIlroy, birdied the last five holes against Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner in the afternoon fourballs, securing a crucial point that ignited the comeback.

The excitement wasn’t just limited to the course on Sunday. The notorious oversleeping incident, the last-minute dash to the first tee following a police escort arranged by his now-wife Erica, the 3and2 defeat of Keegan Bradley, and the humorous presentation of a clock from captain Jose-Maria Olazabal during the post-match celebrations all added to the spectacle.

His punctuality improved at Gleneagles in 2014, but he saved his best for the end. A single win in four sessions for captain Paul McGinley leading into the singles was not what many had anticipated.

However, come Sunday, he was a changed man. Just as it had been four years earlier, it was a delight to follow his opening nine holes against Rickie Fowler in Perthshire on that chilly Sunday, as it was nothing short of a golf masterclass.

He dismantled the American, whom he had also defeated on the final day at The Open at Hoylake just a few months prior, with a combination of powerful tee-to-green play and precise putting. The 5and4 scoreline was flattering for Fowler.

Despite forming an impressive partnership with Belgian rookie Thomas Pieters at Hazeltine in 2016, the duo’s three-point rampage over the first two days wasn’t enough. The singles match against Patrick Reed was a thrilling back-and-forth, but ultimately, the American and his team triumphed, sinking Darren Clarke’s squad.

However, as mentioned, it’s been a rollercoaster ride, with Paris being a prime example of a role reversal.

Even though he only scored two points from his five matches on this occasion, he still got to taste victory. Players like Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari stepped up to inflict the most damage for Thomas Bjorn’s lads.

Whistling Straits could arguably be considered the lowest point so far for the career Grand Slam superstar.

McIlroy was supposed to be Padraig Harrington’s main man. He bore the burden, and it proved just a tad too heavy.

He was thrashed in the first three team sessions as the hosts ran amok, and for the first time since his debut in Wales, he was benched for a session on Saturday afternoon.

McIlroy bounced back to defeat Xander Schauffele in his singles match, but it was a case of too little, too late, and it didn’t ease the pain. As his team slid towards a brutal defeat, he was tearful during a greenside interview, expressing how he felt he had let the team down over the first two days.

The disappointment was tangible. It served as a driving force in Rome.

Ironically, heading into Italy, he had lost as many matches as he had won in his six appearances.

However, McIlroy silenced the critics in style, enjoying the best Ryder Cup of his career. He won four out of his five matches, with his only defeat coming against Patrick Cantlay and Wyndham Clark in the notorious hat-waving incident on the final green on Saturday, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick.

Four points secured. The trophy clinched.

And the bold proclamation in the post-match press conference that his team were set to conquer one of golf’s toughest challenges by winning away from home at Bethpage.

Now, the opportunity presents itself on Long Island for him to replicate his triumph in Detroit 13 years ago. With Luke Donald’s meticulous organisation, the clock will always be accurate.

McIlroy’s extraordinary Ryder Cup journey began on a dark and dreary morning in Wales.

The next chapter could unfold under the bright lights and sunshine of New York.