Team Europe's Rory McIlroy has suggested it would be "silly" to focus solely on Tiger Woods ahead of the upcoming Ryder Cup. The 29-year-old has urged his European teammates to avoid the hype surrounding Woods, who claimed a first victory in five years at the Tour Championship in Atlanta last week.

McIlroy explained that Woods' victory has provided Team US with some much-needed impetus ahead of the highly-prestigious affair, yet Team Europe must keep their eyes fixed on the entire American side, not just Woods if they are to come away as winners.

Rory McIlroy focused on Team Europe's unity

The Northern Ireland national has refused to be swept away by the media storm surrounding the stunning victory achieved by Woods and is instead focusing strongly on the "togetherness" that has perhaps eluded Team USA in previous tournaments.

Having won the Ryder Cup on home territory last time around, the US team are seeking to end an incredibly poor string of results on foreign soil, where they have not lifted the trophy for a massive 25 years. The last time the US did pick up a victory in Europe was indeed on English territory when Tom Watson captained the Americans to a 15-13 victory at the Belfry in 1993.

Meanwhile, McIlroy has suggested that Team Europe are more together than ever, and can put their differences aside for the competition that takes off at Le Golf National, Paris on Friday.

McIlroy one of many Europeans hoping to have a big impact

Rory McIlroy heads into the competition in fine form, among many other Team Europe participants, none more so than Justin Rose, who goes into the Ryder Cup having become the first Englishman to secure the FedEx Cup. Also looking to impress will be Spain's Sergio Garcia, who stole the golfing limelight with a remarkable 2017 Masters victory.

McIlroy certainly has high hopes for his teammates and is relying on previous success to carry them through again this year.

Looking back on previous Team Europe success, the Northern Ireland man also pointed to the notion that the youth of the US team may just provide them with the critical edge needed, noting that the side spends a lot more time together than American sides of old.

Tiger Woods seeking further success on the course

For Team US, it is, however, one man that will attract the most media attention. At 42 years of age, Tiger Woods is one of the side's oldest competitors, and his recent success will provide him with further motivation to seal the Ryder Cup crown on European territory.

Woods had won his last tournament all the way back in August 2013, a WGC-Bridgestone Invitational title that brought him his 79th PGA Tour victory. He has now moved on to number 80, having made a miraculous comeback from problems both on and off the course, and looks set to play a crucial role in the upcoming grudge match between the two superpowers of Europe and the US.

Thomas Bjorn and Jim Furyk will both be seeking to guide their respective sides to victory this coming week, where the world will be watching as the sport's biggest event gets underway in just a couple of days' time.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED