Rory McIlroy sends USA Ryder Cup warning after ‘little s***’ shoots 61 to win

Rory McIlroy has backed Viktor Hovland to shine at subsequent month’s Ryder Cup towards the USA after the Norwegian produced the spherical of his life to win the BMW Championship on Sunday. The World No 5 didn’t look like in rivalry initially of the ultimate day however produced a course file 61 to leapfrog Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Sheffler to clinch an astonishing victory.

McIlroy, who completed fourth on 12 below par, was paired with Hovland for the ultimate day and was gushing with reward for his Ryder Cup teammate after a flawless spherical that included 10 birdies, seven of which had been on the again 9.

Speaking to reporters about Hovland after his remaining spherical at Olympia Fields, McIlroy mentioned: “He simply retains his foot on the pedal — simply isn’t scared.

“Just keeps going forward, keeps going at it. The things that people don’t realise, you get into that position, the second shot on 17, to pitch it where he pitched it right by the pin… Viktor just keeps his foot on the gas.”

Hovland’s aggressive approach paid off massively on Sunday and McIlroy believes that is that style of approach that can serve Europe well when they take on the USA at the Ryder Cup in Rome on September 29.

The Northern Irishman added: “Look, he’s had some great wins already this year. Had a great chance at the PGA Championship. He’s a world-class player, and looking forward to him being on my team for the Ryder Cup in a few weeks time.”

Hovland’s heroics were less palatable for joint overnight leader Matt Fitzpatrick who could only watch in disbelief as the Norwegian’s never-ending flurry of birdies took him into the lead, denying the Englishman a second tour win of the season.

Speaking in his post-tournament press conference, Fitzpatrick said: “Yeah, I performed nice. Can’t do something a few 61. I did simply see Viktor, I referred to as him a bit sh–!”

Hovland, 25, started the day three shots adrift of Fitzpatrick and Sheffler but took matters into his own hands with a career-low nine under par 61, scooping himself £2.8m in prize money as a consequence.

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It must be my primary [round in his career]. I bear in mind enjoying a fairly particular spherical of golf in my first 12 months on tour – I shot seven below at Torrey Pines when it was hailing and windy and raining and that is in all probability the very best I’ve ever struck it all through a spherical.

“But to shoot 61 and shoot 28 on the back nine at this golf course and under the circumstances, I have nothing that beats that.”