Rory McIlroy’s last competitive outing saw him battling for a £7 million payday in the Tour Championship, but the world number one is equally fired up by the thought of playing for team glory at the Ryder Cup.

McIlroy arrived at Gleneagles on Sunday evening and was among the European players practicing in perfect conditions at the venue on Monday, with play due to get under way on Friday morning.

The 25-year-old famously labelled the Ryder Cup as an “exhibition” the year before his debut in 2010 but contributing to narrow victories at Celtic Manor and Medinah means he appreciates the special nature of the biennial contest.