Exclusive - McDowell: 'McIlroy's future is just ridiculous'

Ryder Cup hero Graeme McDowell has hailed Rory McIlroy as the most talented golfer he's ever seen.

The Irishmen teamed up superbly at Celtic Manor last weekend to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup, and now GMAC expects only great things ahead for his young partner.

McDowell told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: "The future McIlroy’s got is just ridiculous. He’s the most talented golfer I’ve ever seen in my life.

"We were both incredibly nervous on the first day of the Ryder Cup and it was good to be able to help him and to get that first day out of the way.

"He went out and played phenomenally on the Saturday, and then to do what he did on Monday and hole that six footer on the last green [to halve his match] was fantastic. I think he really matured as a golfer last weekend.

"He certainly gained an understanding of what the Ryder Cup is all about and I think the maturity and the experience will stand him in good stead in the future."

Europe's win against the USA capped an incredible few months for McDowell, coming in the wake of his US Open victory at Pebble Beach in July.

He added: "It’s been an amazing four months. To live two of your wildest golfing dreams in that space of time is just unbelievable.

"When the draw was made for the singles and I was down to play number 12 I had mixed emotions.

"There was a bit of disappointment because I thought the guys up front would probably take care of it and I wouldn’t be involved. But also excitement at the thought of 'what if it does come down to me'?"

In the end, of course, it did come down to him. After Edoardo Molinari had been pegged back over the final three holes to halve his match with Ricky Fowler, McDowell knew nothing less than a win against Hunter Mahan would be enough for Europe.

He added: "On the 16th I’d just hit a fairly good shot and I heard a fairly muted cheer. Monty [Colin Montgomerie] asked me if I wanted to do know what had just happened. I said if you’re asking me that you’d better tell me and he said Molinari and Fowler had just halved their match and that I needed the full point. I was like 'wow, OK'.

"But I hit the greatest putt of my life on the 16th and proceeded  to go absolutely crazy. I barely remember the ball coming off the face at all and it was just an amazing feeling."