The phoney war is almost over and come Friday the real Ryder Cup battle will commence. In the unrelenting build up to this clash of the transatlantic titans here at Hazeltine, there have been plenty of words spoken but Rory McIlroy knows that talk can be cheap when it comes down to the crunch.

US skipper Davis Love III upped the ante on the psychological front earlier in the week when he suggested that the Americans had “the best golf team maybe ever assembled”.

And veteran TV commentator Johnny Miller added fuel to the flames by declaring that Team Europe, on paper at least, “was the worst team they’ve had in years.”

The talking will stop on Friday when the opening sessions get underway but as the visitors aim for four Ryder Cup wins in a row for the first time ever, in-form McIlroy admits the words coming out of the American camp have only added to the feeling of determination in the European squad.

The Northern Irishman, who fired another warning shot by winning the Tour Championship in Atlanta last Sunday, said: “I don’t think it’s hard for us to find motivation because anywhere you look, whether it be the sea of red you see on the golf course or the comments made in the media by the US team or the captain, then that gives us so much motivation.

“I mean, whenever you are going up against one of the greatest teams ever assembled, that’s enough to get you going. So you say, how good a victory would this be if we go out and beat these guys on their home soil? Our team is good and it’s more than ready to handle the occasion and handle what we need to do.”

McIlroy, the world No 3, will be making his fourth Ryder Cup appearance since his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010 and has never been on a losing side.

Prior to becoming a Ryder Cup player, McIlroy had downplayed the whole event by suggesting that it was nothing more than an exhibition match. Since then, of course, the four-time Major winner has changed his tune. He now feels he is a leader for Team Europe, both on and off the course, and the unique pressure and intensity that the event stokes up is something that he continues to savour.

He added: “I think I did underestimate what it was going to be like. The comments I made before seem very stupid now.

“I had no idea. I had played in the Junior Ryder Cup, I was at the Ryder Cups of 2004 and 2006 and I thought I knew what it would be like. But there’s nothing like walking on to that first tee for the first time and feeling the rush and soaking up the atmosphere.

“That’s what I’ve tried to reiterate to the rookies on the team. You think you know what it’s like and you think you’ve played under pressure but you haven’t. I’m just trying to make them ready for that and make sure they are comfortable with where they are.

“Once you get over that first hurdle, that hump of the first tee and everything that goes on with that, then you’re down to business and you’re just trying to do what you do every day of your life, which is to play good golf.”

For McIlroy, this week’s contest has added significance as he plays under his fellow Northern Irishman, Darren Clarke. McIlroy was just 10 when he first met the current European skipper and the memories remain seared on the mind.

He said: “My actual 10th birthday present was to go and play at Royal Portrush. I was chipping around the green and Darren was there. I was just in awe of him. He was doing the same thing, just chipping around the green, and he just said to me: “practice, practice, practice.” That’s always been his motto. And that day has always stuck with me and, even this week, those memories come rushing back.”

Team Europe don’t need to look far for inspiration or motivation this week. As Sergio Garcia said on the confident spoutings from the USA: “you don’t win Ryder Cups with your mouths.”