• Ryder Cup

McIlroy finally embracing No.1 status - Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus says Rory McIlroy has finally learned to embrace the pressure of being world No.1.

McIlroy helped Europe to an emphatic 16.5-11.5 Ryder Cup triumph over the USA at the weekend, dismantling Rickie Fowler 5&4 in Sunday's singles.

Jack Nicklaus says Rory McIlroy's 5&4 win against Rickie Fowler was "one of the most dominant singles displays in Ryder Cup history" © Getty Images

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Watching on at Gleneagles, Nicklaus described McIlroy's victory against Fowler as "one of the most dominant singles displays in Ryder Cup history", against a man who became the first player to finish in the top five of every major without winning one this year.

"When Rory became No.1 in the world in 2012 I honestly don't think he was ready to mentally embrace it," Nicklaus said. "Now his mannerisms are different, he talks differently and he is comfortable in that role.

"Rory has won two majors this year, as well as the WGC and at Wentworth, but to my mind what has been so important is that he has not only proved he is best in the world again, but this time he accepts he is best in the world.

"He went out against Rickie with plenty to lose, but enjoyed being the man to shoot down and did all the shooting himself. That'll be big for him."

After McIlroy won the Open Championship in July at Hoylake, 18-time major winner Nicklaus famously tipped the Northern Irishman to break his record when all is said and done.

It looked to be a wise bet with McIlroy quickly securing his fourth major at the US PGA Championship last month, becoming the third youngest player - behind Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, no less - to achieve the feat.

Now the 25-year-old has secured another piece of history with Europe's win at Gleneagles.

"Somebody told me that it is the first time since 1977 that a player has won two majors and been on a winning Ryder Cup team in the same season," McIlroy said.

"Of course that makes me proud and being part of a great European side and a period of dominance is something I value very highly. I was not joking when I said I felt more pressure on that first tee on Sunday than I did the final rounds of the Open and [US] PGA [Championship]. That's because I wasn't just playing for myself but for so many others, too."

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