Rory McIlroy shares exact moment he realised what Ryder Cup truly meant to him

Rory McIlroy has revealed that listening to a speech from Seve Ballesteros days before making his Ryder Cup debut changed his perspective on the tournament completely. The Northern Irishman made his debut at the prestigious team tournament in 2010, despite infamously dubbing it as "an exhibition" a year prior.

And while he may not have held the most positive view of the biennial tournament heading into it, a conference call with Ballesteros in the build-up changed his perspective forever. Recalling the moment during a press conference this week, the 36-year-old said: "Seve was sick and we had him on one of those conference call things. And he's speaking to the team and we're all in the team room.

"This is on the Wednesday or Thursday night, and I look around and the majority of the team is crying as Seve is talking to us. And I'm like, 'That is...that's it. That's the embodiment of what the European Ryder Cup team is.' And I think that was the moment. That conference call with Seve in 2010 was the moment for me."

Team Europe managed an inspiring 14.5-13.5 win over Team USA that year, with Ballesteros sending his congratulations to the side he captained to victory in 1997. He wrote on his official website at the time: "Congratulations to all of you!

"It has been very exciting until the last minute. I have enjoyed watching great golf from both sides over the weekend. As I said on Thursday, the more difficult it is to win, the sweeter victory tastes. I'm sure all the players and European supporters are enjoying it. Well done Europe!"

Ballesteros tragically lost his life at the age of 54 the following year after a three-year battle with a brain tumour, but his legacy in the world of golf lives on. The Spaniard appeared at the Ryder Cup nine times in total, including his non-playing captaincy in '97, and was unbeaten in all of the outings he was a part of.

The prodigy also racked up 50 wins on the European Tour, nine on the PGA Tour and five major titles across the course of his incredible career. It comes as McIlroy prepares for his eighth consecutive outing for Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, with hopes of defending the title the continent clinched in Rome two years ago.

The 45th Ryder Cup tees off at Bethpage Black on Friday, 26 September. You can follow all of the action live with Express Sport, here.