Rory McIlroy warns Ryder Cup rookies to prepare for tough environment

Rory McIlroy believes the pressure of playing in the Ryder Cup is comparable to being in contention on the final day of a major championship, as he urged Europe's six rookies to embrace the experience at Hazeltine National.

McIlroy admitted to feeling "really uncomfortable" when he made his debut in the contest at Celtic Manor in 2010, and was also tentative two years later despite winning a crucial point for Europe in their memorable final-day fightback at Medinah.

Half of Darren Clarke's side will make their debuts in this year's renewal at the end of the month as Europe bid for an unprecedented fourth consecutive victory, and McIlroy has warned them to be mentally prepared for the biggest challenge of their careers.

"I was really uncomfortable in 2010, I was just uncomfortable in 2012, and I was somewhat comfortable in 2014," said McIlroy ahead of this week's BMW Championship. "The Ryder Cup is a tournament where you get feelings that you've never had before.

"Even someone like Danny Willett on our team, who has won the Masters, and I'm going to say, 'Danny, that final round was great, but you were playing with Lee Westwood who is a buddy of yours, you weren't really in contention until the last sort of five or six holes, first round or first match in the Ryder Cup is going to be playing a final round of a Major for all 18 holes'. 

"That's what it's like, so the rookies are going to experience things that they have probably never experienced before on a golf course. It's just to make them aware of that and sort of try to help them embrace that in some way.

"I really didn't embrace that at Celtic Manor, I got tentative and I sort of struggled the first couple of days and sort of got into my stride at the end of the week, but it's a tough environment to come in to, especially in an away Ryder Cup. I just have to make sure that the guys know that and that they're ready for it."

McIlroy defended Paul Casey's decision to rule himself out of contention for a Ryder Cup place when he did not renew his European Tour membership, while he expressed his sympathy for Russell Knox, who narrowly missed out on automatic qualification and was overlooked for a captain's pick despite being ranked 20th in the world.

"I've always said it should be the best 12 Europeans regardless of whether they're a member of a Tour or not," he added. "If Russell had been a member of the European Tour when he won in China (the WGC-HSBC Champions), he makes the team.

"Paul's obviously playing well, but it's a personal decision on Paul's part. He wants to spend more time in the States and doesn't feel like he can play both Tours and play two schedules, and that's very understandable. I can see where he's coming from.

"With a young family in the States, it's hard to do that much travel every year and still see your family as much as you want to see them. So, I completely understand Paul's point of view. Again, some tournaments and some things are more important to people than they are to others.

"I wouldn't want to miss the Ryder Cup because it's very important to me, but if it's not that important to Paul Casey, then so be it, that's his opinion and his decision and he should stand by that.

"Any time you're part of a Ryder Cup team and a winning Ryder Cup team, it's a pretty special moment and I'm looking forward to trying to help the team as much as I can to try and retain the trophy in a few weeks time."