Ryder Cup: Rory McIlroy will shrug off pressure says countryman Graeme McDowell

AMERICANS have targeted the Ulsterman in their bid to win back the Ryder Cup.

GRAEME McDOWELL insists his pal Rory McIlroy will handle the strain of being America’s No.1 target at the Ryder Cup next week.

Jim Furyk has claimed the US PGA champion is a “marked man” – and former captain Paul Azinger reckons beating the 23-year-old is key to winning back the trophy.

But fellow Ulsterman McDowell, who played three times with McIlroy at Celtic Manor before securing the winning point in the final singles match, said: “It’s a massive plus having Rory on the team – he’s the best player on the planet now.

“He will have that cross-hair on his back – he is a big scalp now. People will want to play him and take a point off him.

“Rory does have more responsibility on his shoulders but he’s the kind of guy who can handle that kind of pressure.

“I fully expect him to be on form next week when the action begins.”