Rory McIlroy knows he will be the man with a target on his back at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next week… and he can’t wait. The world number one was responding to American captain Tom Watson’s comments that he wants his team to ‘take down the top dogs,’ a reference to McIlroy and Ian Poulter. ’It’s a massive compliment whenever the opposition are talking about you,’ McIlroy told Sportsmail. Rory McIlroy is determined to accept the responsibility of being Europe's leading man at the Ryder Cup . World No 1 was in London to launch Santander's 123 World in front of Tower Bridge . McIlroy can't contain his laughter while watching London Mayor Boris Johnson taking a shot . ‘I know what a huge fillip it would be for them if I lose but it is up to me to make sure it doesn’t happen. I’m a double major champion this year and it’s important that I embrace that and step up and take on the responsibility. 'I know I will have a target on my back but I love that and I am going to play up to it as much as I can. ‘Whoever they want to send out against me, it’s no problem to me. I want to lead from the front and by example, and I’m confident enough in the way I am playing right now to do that.’ Game on, then. McIlroy wants to emulate Europe's success from the 2012 Ryder Cup, the so-called 'Miracle of Medinah' US captain Tom Watson has called for his team to go take down Europe's 'top dogs' McILroy and Ian Poulter, playing together at the 2012 Ryder Cup, are regarded as Europe's danger men . McIlroy addressed a number of pertinent topics during a sponsorship day to help launch Santander’s 123 World against the fabulous backdrop of London’s Tower Bridge on Thursday. He laid to rest any lingering questions regarding his formidable Ryder Cup partnership with Graeme McDowell and hinted at a possible fourballs pairing with French rookie Victor Dubuisson. The 25 year old also gave his first public comments regarding the actions of the judge who intervened this week in McIlroy’s increasingly bitter legal dispute with his former management company and ordered the two sides to get together to try to thrash out their differences. ’We welcome what the judge had to say,’ explained McIlroy. ‘It’s what we have been trying to do for the last six months but it’s been like arguing with a brick wall, so it’s great he has ordered the two sides to get together. It needs resolving, because it has gone on for far too long. It’s the one distracting thing I have left behind the scenes although, thankfully, I’ve made sure it’s not been that distracting. But when that’s gone, that’s everything.’ McIlroy insists his legal dispute with former management company Horizon will not influence his relationship with Graeme McDowell (L) The Northern Irishman shakes hands with Billy Horschel after losing out in the FedEx Cup play-offs . McIlroy has hinted that he may play four-balls at Gleneagles with French rookie Victor Dubuisson . McIlroy’s old management company Horizon also looked after McDowell – that contract has also just ended, albeit amicably - and the latter confessed the dispute had placed a strain on his friendship with the former. But McIlroy dismissed any notion it was long-lasting or should give Europe captain Paul McGinley any cause for second thoughts about pairing them once more next week. ‘I’d love to play with G-Mac,’ said McIlroy. ‘I think everyone can see the chemistry we have together and there’s no reason why it can’t be the same this time. This whole thing about our friendship has been blown up so much. We were both playing in Denver two weeks ago and went out to dinner together. There’s no problem between us.’ The 25-year-old poses with the Claret Jug after winning the Open at Hoylake this year . McIlroy won his second major of the year by claiming the PGA Championships with a one-stroke victory . It’s a partnership we’re more likely to see in foursomes than fourballs, though. As for the latter, there has been some talk on the practice ground that McIlroy is keen on the idea of shepherding a rookie, and there was one particular debutant he was happy to throw into the mix. ‘Of all the guys in our team I guess I know Victor the best because we grew up playing amateur golf together,’ said McIlroy, about the gifted but enigmatic Frenchman Dubuisson. ‘I’m not close to him but I’ve known him a lot longer, so if Paul wants to throw him into the deep end with me, I’d have no qualms about that.’ After eight tournaments in ten weeks, McIlroy looked remarkably fresh, despite only having a day at home. He returned to Northern Ireland last night, but will fly back to London on Saturday evening for the George Groves fight, before heading up to Gleneagles a day earlier than the rest of the team. ‘I’ve got a full day planned with Steve (McGregor, his fitness guru) and Michael (Bannon, his swing coach),’ he said. McIlroy will be pleased that Tiger Woods, pictured together on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, will not be competing for the US team at Gleneagles . Europe fans will be hoping to witness McIlroy holding aloft the Ryder Cup again at the end of next weekend . Before our chat, McIlroy played a few stunt shots to a target situated in the Thames in front of the curious thousands who lined the embankment in beautiful autumn sunshine and, naturally, hit it effortlessly. Which was more than could be said for London’s game Mayor Boris Johnson, who showed he is no golfer. Asked if he gave Boris a lesson, McIlroy smiled. ‘He certainly needs a few,’ he replied. When he finally got one airborne, the Mayor was sharp enough when someone asked if he had made a good swing. ‘Never mind me. We need the right swing tonight,’ he said, referring to Scotland’s independence referendum. As for McIlroy, all Europe will be counting on him making plenty of right swings there next week. Rory McIlroy was interviewed at the launch of Santander 123 World . McIlroy admitted that London Mayor Johnson was in need of a few golf lessons .
Rory McIlroy is Europe's leading player for the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles .
US captain Tom Watson has called for players to 'take down the top dogs'
McIlroy and Ian Poulter are regarded as Europe's danger men .
Northern Irishman insists legal dispute will not affect friendship with Graeme McDowell .
World No 1 hints he will play four balls with Frenchman Victor Dubuisson .
McIlroy was taking part in Santander's 123 World with Boris Johnson .
Rory McIlroy knows he will be the man with a target on his back at the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next week… and he can’t wait. The world number one was responding to American captain Tom Watson’s comments that he wants his team to ‘take down the top dogs,’ a reference to McIlroy and Ian Poulter. ’It’s a massive compliment whenever the opposition are talking about you,’ McIlroy told Sportsmail. Rory McIlroy is determined to accept the responsibility of being Europe's leading man at the Ryder Cup . World No 1 was in London to launch Santander's 123 World in front of Tower Bridge . McIlroy can't contain his laughter while watching London Mayor Boris Johnson taking a shot . ‘I know what a huge fillip it would be for them if I lose but it is up to me to make sure it doesn’t happen. I’m a double major champion this year and it’s important that I embrace that and step up and take on the responsibility. 'I know I will have a target on my back but I love that and I am going to play up to it as much as I can. ‘Whoever they want to send out against me, it’s no problem to me. I want to lead from the front and by example, and I’m confident enough in the way I am playing right now to do that.’ Game on, then. McIlroy wants to emulate Europe's success from the 2012 Ryder Cup, the so-called 'Miracle of Medinah' US captain Tom Watson has called for his team to go take down Europe's 'top dogs' McILroy and Ian Poulter, playing together at the 2012 Ryder Cup, are regarded as Europe's danger men . McIlroy addressed a number of pertinent topics during a sponsorship day to help launch Santander’s 123 World against the fabulous backdrop of London’s Tower Bridge on Thursday. He laid to rest any lingering questions regarding his formidable Ryder Cup partnership with Graeme McDowell and hinted at a possible fourballs pairing with French rookie Victor Dubuisson. The 25 year old also gave his first public comments regarding the actions of the judge who intervened this week in McIlroy’s increasingly bitter legal dispute with his former management company and ordered the two sides to get together to try to thrash out their differences. ’We welcome what the judge had to say,’ explained McIlroy. ‘It’s what we have been trying to do for the last six months but it’s been like arguing with a brick wall, so it’s great he has ordered the two sides to get together. It needs resolving, because it has gone on for far too long. It’s the one distracting thing I have left behind the scenes although, thankfully, I’ve made sure it’s not been that distracting. But when that’s gone, that’s everything.’ McIlroy insists his legal dispute with former management company Horizon will not influence his relationship with Graeme McDowell (L) The Northern Irishman shakes hands with Billy Horschel after losing out in the FedEx Cup play-offs . McIlroy has hinted that he may play four-balls at Gleneagles with French rookie Victor Dubuisson . McIlroy’s old management company Horizon also looked after McDowell – that contract has also just ended, albeit amicably - and the latter confessed the dispute had placed a strain on his friendship with the former. But McIlroy dismissed any notion it was long-lasting or should give Europe captain Paul McGinley any cause for second thoughts about pairing them once more next week. ‘I’d love to play with G-Mac,’ said McIlroy. ‘I think everyone can see the chemistry we have together and there’s no reason why it can’t be the same this time. This whole thing about our friendship has been blown up so much. We were both playing in Denver two weeks ago and went out to dinner together. There’s no problem between us.’ The 25-year-old poses with the Claret Jug after winning the Open at Hoylake this year . McIlroy won his second major of the year by claiming the PGA Championships with a one-stroke victory . It’s a partnership we’re more likely to see in foursomes than fourballs, though. As for the latter, there has been some talk on the practice ground that McIlroy is keen on the idea of shepherding a rookie, and there was one particular debutant he was happy to throw into the mix. ‘Of all the guys in our team I guess I know Victor the best because we grew up playing amateur golf together,’ said McIlroy, about the gifted but enigmatic Frenchman Dubuisson. ‘I’m not close to him but I’ve known him a lot longer, so if Paul wants to throw him into the deep end with me, I’d have no qualms about that.’ After eight tournaments in ten weeks, McIlroy looked remarkably fresh, despite only having a day at home. He returned to Northern Ireland last night, but will fly back to London on Saturday evening for the George Groves fight, before heading up to Gleneagles a day earlier than the rest of the team. ‘I’ve got a full day planned with Steve (McGregor, his fitness guru) and Michael (Bannon, his swing coach),’ he said. McIlroy will be pleased that Tiger Woods, pictured together on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, will not be competing for the US team at Gleneagles . Europe fans will be hoping to witness McIlroy holding aloft the Ryder Cup again at the end of next weekend . Before our chat, McIlroy played a few stunt shots to a target situated in the Thames in front of the curious thousands who lined the embankment in beautiful autumn sunshine and, naturally, hit it effortlessly. Which was more than could be said for London’s game Mayor Boris Johnson, who showed he is no golfer. Asked if he gave Boris a lesson, McIlroy smiled. ‘He certainly needs a few,’ he replied. When he finally got one airborne, the Mayor was sharp enough when someone asked if he had made a good swing. ‘Never mind me. We need the right swing tonight,’ he said, referring to Scotland’s independence referendum. As for McIlroy, all Europe will be counting on him making plenty of right swings there next week. Rory McIlroy was interviewed at the launch of Santander 123 World . McIlroy admitted that London Mayor Johnson was in need of a few golf lessons .
Rory McIlroy knows he will be the man with a down the top dogs,’ a reference to McIlroy and leading man at the Ryder Cup . World No 1 was in London to launch Santander's 123 World in front captain Tom Watson has called for his team to go take down Europe's 'top dogs' McILroy and Ian are regarded as Europe's danger men . McIlroy Ryder Cup partnership with Graeme McDowell and everything.’ McIlroy insists his legal dispute competing for the US team at Gleneagles . Europe