THE NORTHERN TRUST

August 21, 2021

Rory McIlroy

Liberty National Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Other than the obvious, stats-wise you drove it better today. What specifically was different from the first two rounds?

RORY McILROY: I drove the ball good. If you look at any stats the first couple days, I gained a half a stroke over the field the first two days. I don't feel like I drove the ball that badly. I hit a couple destructive approach shots yesterday which cost me a little bit. I putted well.

Yeah, I just got to have poor starts the first couple days and then was trying to claw my way back. Yeah, that was sort of it. Got off to a better start today obviously and still didn't play par 5s well. I played the par 5s at even par or 1-over for the week. You start to play those a bit better and the score all of a sudden goes from, whatever I'm at, 6-under, to double digits, at least, and you're in the golf tournament.

So that was really the difference. I've putted well the last couple days and I made enough birdies -- I think I've made 16 birdies for the week. Just a few too many mistakes.

Q. Save par on 6?

RORY McILROY: Saved par on 6, yeah. Actually I'm going to lay up on par 5s. I think I do better when I lay up on par 5s. Every time I try and go for one, I make at best, a par, and obviously.

Q. What do you hit for an iron?

RORY McILROY: 4-iron. It goes back -- I did this in 2014 a lot. I put it in position on the fairway and I'd be thinking 3, and I'd make 5 or 6 and I feel like I'm sort of doing that again. So it's almost like just don't be too greedy, play for your 4.

The thing is, as well, with how some of the green complexes are on par 5s, especially, because it's a par 5 green, you miss it on the wrong side and it's just really tough.

Q. When you think of the history of The Ryder Cup, what do you consider one of the greatest shots ever?

RORY McILROY: Justin Rose's putt on 17 at Medinah.

Q. Big one?

RORY McILROY: Massive. Celebration was even better.

Q. What about, since that wasn't the answer I was looking for, what about Seve? What do you know about Seve's shot from the bunker in 1983?

RORY McILROY: Nothing.

Q. Have you ever heard anything about it?

RORY McILROY: No. What's his name?

Q. Severiano ...

RORY McILROY: No, I started watching the -- my first memory of watching The Ryder Cup was '97. So anything before that, I can tell you major winners going back quite a long time, but Ryder Cups, '97 is as far back as I sort of go.

Q. Why is that? Granted you started watching it, but you know so much about whoever back in the 50s or 60s.

RORY McILROY: I don't know, that's eight of those every two years where there's only one Ryder Cup. I don't know.

Q. Along those same lines, you've played Whistling Straits enough, can it be set up to favor one team?

RORY McILROY: I'm not sure. I don't know if it can. I don't know if it has the advantage. I mean, most of the Euros play over here. We are all playing the game golf courses, getting the same experiences. Obviously our upbringings are a little different but I don't think it favors one side or the other.

Q. Is that overblown, maybe Paris being the example?

RORY McILROY: I think Hazeltine, the way they set Hazeltine up definitely favored the American side. The way they set up Paris definitely favored us.

There are things you can do. I don't know what you can do with Whistling Straits to make it any different than what it is. The land and the topography, that's what makes the golf course, so yeah.

Q. Do you find yourself when you're there paying attention to anything except your own team? Do you pay attention to what the U.S. is doing with their pairings or anything like that?

RORY McILROY: I don't even pay attention to what the rest of my team's doing. You know, I concentrate on the pairing that I have. We go out and we win our match, and that's all you can do.

The best way to be a team player is win your point. Sounds a little selfish, and then you can go cheer on the guys as much as you can. But if you want to be a real team player, go out there and win your point. Focus on yourself.

Q. Wasn't that Paul's message at Gleneagles?

RORY McILROY: Yeah.

Q. It's not about team now; it's about you?

RORY McILROY: Exactly. We are all pulling in the same direction but we are individuals at the end of the day, and go and win our point.

Q. Who did you have Sunday at Gleneagles?

RORY McILROY: Rickie.

Q. Paul give you any special message that night?

RORY McILROY: Just go out and lead. Put blue on the board early and let the boys see that.