Furyk: McIlroy 'a marked man' for Ryder Cup

American Jim Furyk has described Rory McIlroy as a 'marked man' with just over a week remaining until the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club

American Ryder Cup veteran Jim Furyk has labelled Rory McIlroy as 'a marked man' ahead of the 39th match at Chicago's Medinah Country Club.

The 23-year-old Ulsterman is the form player in world golf, and has the chance to make himself $10m richer this week at the Tour Championship.

"He won the PGA by a ton of shots, won his last two events and no matter how he plays here he's right now the present day Tiger Woods where everyone's eyes are on him," Furyk said.

"Tiger is still Tiger - everyone would love to see that pairing in the Ryder Cup - but obviously McIlroy is a marked man.

"He is the number one player in the world. He's going to garner all the attention, as well he should. He's played phenomenal this year."

McIlroy made his debut in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor, where he secured two points from a possible four.

Furyk, on the other hand, made his seventh appearance in Wales, but had to rely on a wildcard pick from American captain Davis Love III this time around.

"The Ryder Cup is a different animal," added Furyk.

"We'll have some team dinners, the big gala - you're more on someone else's schedule that week rather than your own.

"But I've been involved in a lot of them. I know what is expected of me.

"I know how to manage my time and how to pace myself. I made all of the rookie mistakes the first couple and was kind of worn out by Friday.

"I'll make sure that's not going to be the case for me and try to help some of the young guys along as well," he added.

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x